Nashville Predators won’t bring back left winger Scott Hartnell and defenseman Alexei Emelin for the next season according to the team’s general manager David Poile. Hartnell and Emelin are both set to become unrestricted free agents in the offseason.
Scott Hartnell, who previously played for the Predators from 2000 to 2007, rejoined the Predators in 2017 from Columbus Blue Jackets, singing a $1 million deal in the summer. He ended up playing in 62 games, managing 13 goals and 11 assists.
“I think he did a really good job for us this year coming in — the leadership, maturity,” – said Poile after announcing the team won’t bring back Hartnell. “He’s always an exciting player both on and off the ice because he does so much physically with how he plays and verbally with how he talks. He was an important player for our team.“
After his second stint with the Predators came to an early end, Hartnell said he is thinking about retirement.
“I’ll take some time away to think about it,” – he told the Tennessean. “These last couple months, just wondering if I still have it, if I could still skate. I thought I played pretty solid, but your heart’s got to be there too with it, and that passion. I feel like it’s there.“
Alexei Emelin also joined the Nashville Predators in 2017 but failed to make a significant impact ending the season with one goal and eight assists.
Predators, who also seen center Mike Fisher retiring on Saturday, are expected to work out an extension with defenseman Ryan Ellis this summer. Ellis, who has a one year left on his five-year, $12.5 million contract, recently said he would like to finish his career with the Predators.
“I love it here,” – said Ellis. “My fiancée loves it here. If it was my wish, I’d finish my career here. So we’ll see what happens.“
