Predators sign Nick Perbix to two-year contract

The Nashville Predators bolstered their blueline on the opening day of NHL Free Agency on Tuesday, signing right-handed defenseman Nick Perbix to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.75 million. 

One of the most sought-after defensemen that hit the open market on July 1, Perbix comes to the Predators after spending three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lighting, where he recorded 50 points and 63 assists in 74 regular-season games. 

In total, Perbix has played 220 regular-season NHL contests, scoring 13 goals and 60 points. 

Initially selected 169th overall in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL Draft, Perbix played four years of NCAA hockey with St. Cloud State before turning pro with the Lightning’s AHL affiliate, Syracuse Crunch, at the end of the 2021-22 season. 

While the native of Minneapolis has played regular minutes, averaging 14:41 of ice time per game last season, his two-way ability stands out, with his six-foot-four and 206-pound frame providing a physical challenge for opponents, and his points tally speaks for itself. 

Meanwhile, his skill sets also heavily improve the right side of Nashville’s defense, given most of the team’s top blueliners, such as Roman Josi and Brady Skjei, are left-handed. 

At the same time, he also reunited with a former teammate by joining the Predators, linking up with former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who posted just 53 points in an underwhelming first season in Tennessee. 

After making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023-24, Nashville took a step back in 2024-25, missing the postseason with a 30-44-8 record and seventh-place finish in the Central Division. 

Yet, general manager Barry Trotz managed to secure Perbix, and has kept his faith in head coch Andrew Brunette, who is set to return to lead the team when the NHL season opens on Oct. 7.