Jordan Gross #79 shooting a slapshot as a member of the Colorado Eagles during the 2021-22 season. CREDIT: Colorado Avalanche
The opening day of NHL Free Agency is always a busy time of the offseason in the hockey world.
According to Cap Friendly, within the first three hours of signing free agents, there were 74 signings which equaled out to $687 million.
The Nashville Predators may not have taken a big name off the board right off the bat, but took time to address the depth of the organization.
Nashville added the 2021-22 AHL Defenseman of the Year Jordan Gross, the right-handed defenseman tallied 65 points in 61 games for the Colorado Eagles. According to Bartlett Hockey Gross agreed to a two-year deal.
Gross helped lead his team to the third round of the Calder Cup Playoffs scoring 10 points in nine games. Prior to his professional days, he played in college at Notre Dame scoring 121 points in 159 games.
The Predators picked away at the Eagles roster again signing defenseman Roland McKeown to a two-year deal. McKeown has appeared in 10 NHL games, all were in the 2017-18 season for the Carolina Hurricanes.
A former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, McKeown had 20 points in the 2021-22 campaign while picking up eight assists in the postseason. The Score’s John Matisz reported McKeown’s signing.
A third defenseman was added by the Predators on the opening day of free agency. Pat Steinberg from Sportsnet 960 reported Kevin Gravel inked a two-year deal.
Gravel was a fifth-round selection by the Kings in 2010 after playing one season in the USHL for the Sioux City Musketeers. He attended St. Cloud State (2010-14) and then reported to the AHL.
During 2021-22 Gravel played for the Stockton Heat in the AHL scoring 14 points.
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