NASHVILLE TENNESSEE — Nashville PredatorsSigned goaltender Juuse SarosA four-year $20 million contract.
The deal was announced Monday by David Poile, general manager.
Juuse is a young and talented goaltender in the NHL. We are proud to keep him our No. Poile stated that Juuse will be our No. 1 goaltender in years to follow.” Poile said, “While being mentored Pekka RinneHe has been a goalie for many years and is now aiming to be a great one.
Saros (26 years old) is coming off the best year of his 5-year NHL career. In 36 games, Saros went 21-11-1 with career highs in wins and 35 starts. He also had a 2.28 goals against average, and a.927 saving percentage. He placed sixth in Vezina Trophy voting to determine the best goalie.
Saros finished second in NHL goalies playing at least 25 NHL games, and fifth in goals-against. Saros was a key player in Nashville’s seventh consecutive playoff appearance. He finished the season with an 18-6-1 record over 26 of his remaining games.
Saros saved 110 shots out of 117 during the playoffs in double overtime wins. This was the 7th-highest total saves by an NHL goalie over a span of two games since 1955-56. In Game 4, against Carolina, he tied a record for franchise saves with 58.
Forssa’s native Finn was the 99th overall pick in the fourth round. His record is 76-17-17 with 139 wins, and he has won 17 or more games each season in the past three years. His 14 career shutouts are the most for active goalies of his age.
Saros was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team for 2017-18. He led all first-year goalies with 2.45 goals-against and.925 save percentage, as well as shutouts (3).