Predators stable on-ice

The Nashville Predators have resembled a soap opera over the past 18 months, with a contested ownership change, threats of franchise relocation and a bankruptcy court battle all serving as memorable episodes.

But the undercurrent of off-ice uncertainty has done nothing to dampen players' enthusiasm for Nashville as an organization and a city. In fact, with the exception of defecting forward Alexander Radulov, many Predators appear to be delivering votes of confidence by choosing to stay.

Since new ownership took over last December, 10 players - almost half of the current roster - have signed new multiyear contracts with the Predators, with many choosing to forego what likely would have been bigger offers on the free agent market.

The players cite locker-room chemistry, long-term relationships with coaches and management, an affinity for the city and, ironically enough, stability, as some of the reasons for wanting to sticking around.

"That says good things not only about the organization, but the city itself,'' said Michael Deutsch, the agent for forward Martin Erat, who signed a seven-year, $31 million deal this offseason. "But if I had to pinpoint one thing that's a motivating factor for Marty and I guess a lot of the players, it's the stability that (general manager) David Poile brings to the organization.

"He gives players the underlying belief that there is a plan ? and the understanding that if they make a long-term commitment to the organization, there's going to be a long-term commitment back in terms of putting out a good product.''

The ability to re-sign key players to new deals is something not all teams have been able to do.

In Florida, for instance, all-star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, apparently tired of losing, has so far rebuffed management's long-term contract offers. As matters stand now, he'll become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

In a similar situation in Atlanta last season, star forward Marian Hossa gave no indication he wanted to sign a long-term deal with the club, which led the Thrashers to trade away one of their top talents.

But in Nashville, players have all but lined up to re-sign.

Forward David Legwand became the first player to sign under new ownership last December, when he agreed to a six-year, $27 million deal.

A wave would follow over the next several months, including key players like goalie Dan Ellis, defensemen Ryan Suter and Shea Weber, and forwards J.P. Dumont, Erat and Jordin Tootoo.

Ellis chose to return to Nashville despite the fact he could have hit the free agent market after posting the NHL's best save percentage last season. He may well have been able to get a bigger deal than the two-year, $3.5 contract he signed with the Predators.

"As soon as the opportunity to be here opened up, I jumped at it instantly,'' Ellis said. "It may not be the highest payroll in the world, but you're happy here, and being happy goes a long way. Too many guys make that mistake, going someplace just looking for that extra buck and then ending up wanting to get traded.''

Weber, considered one of the game's better young defensemen, might well have drawn some monster offers as a restricted free agent last summer. But he chose to sign a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Nashville before his last contract expired.

Weber said he never even considered free agency.

"I always wanted to be here," he said. "This organization has given me a chance to play and I'm really happy here.''

The fact that Poile, Coach Barry Trotz and associate coach Brent Peterson have been with the organization from day one seems to have contributed to a similar sense of purpose that appeals to many players.

Along the same lines, the fact that a number of the players have already been here for years, and that they're now signed on for several more seasons, offers an element of chemistry.

"Seeing that other guys were committing and putting themselves in a position to be here a while gave us all good confidence,'' Weber said. "That makes you feel more comfortable. We've got a great group of people here.''

One player that chose not to stick around was Radulov, who signed with a Russian team during the offseason. Some might suggest an asterisk should be placed next to his name since the Predators had him under contract for another season.

In any event, when the Predators hit the ice for their season opener in St. Louis on Friday, they will do so with a core that has chosen to remain together for years, despite the long-running drama away from the rink.

"The Predators have a lot to offer,'' said Weber's agent, Don Meehan. "Even with what they've gone through, with the uncertainty and the payroll-cutting issues last summer, they've done a remarkable job in having a very competitive team and a good group of character people. That, I think, is really what's attracted these young players to stay there and to commit.''