Barry Trotz Re-Signs Centre in the Music City

Centre Thomas Novak Re-Signs with the Nashville Predators

The 26-year-old, Minnesota native put his work in to get where he is today. After four years with the University of Minnesota as a Golden Gopher, he bounced around a bit. Then in the 2021-22 campaign, he found his footing. After a solid season down in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals tallying 34 points in 42 games, he got the call-up. Since that time he has totalled 84 points through 129 career NHL games. Furthermore, he has maintained a very consistent CF% Rel in his time in the NHL, at 12.1 for his career. Novak is an important piece to the Nashville Predators as a whole. He does well to take advantage of the uncanny oSZ% of 75.8, through his first three years.

What Does This Mean for the Predators

One thing this means for the Predators as they are not sellers. That is to say, they sit fourth in the NHL’s Central Division and are red-hot winners of eight in a row. Novak is exactly the type of underrated player that Nashville does and really always has thrived on. If anything, this is an indication that Trotz may look for a piece or two to help bolster the lineup at the 2024 NHL trade deadline. However, maybe with the club as hot as it is, don’t mess with a winning formula. In any case, Novak got what he deserved and he’s sticking in Nashville for the foreseeable future.