General Manager Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators announced today that a seven-year, $49 million ($7 million AAV) contract has been agreed to between the team and defenseman Brady Skjei (SHAY). With his exceptional skating and puck-moving skills, Brady Skjei has emerged as one of the NHL’s best two-way defensemen, according to Trotz. He is a valuable addition to the team’s defense. “Brady gives us another two-way blueliner who can play in all situations by joining a group that includes Stanley Cup champion Luke Schenn, Norris Trophy finalist Roman Josi, Jeremy Lauzon as a physical presence, and recently signed Alexandre Carrier.”
With the Carolina Hurricanes previous season, Skjei, 30, (3/26/94), set a career best in points, leading the team’s blueliners with 47 (13g-34a). He was also one of eight NHL blueliners to score at least one power-play goal and one shorthanded goal. He averaged 21:17 minutes of ice time, which was the second-highest of his career and among Carolina defenseman. During the playoffs, Skjei led the Hurricanes to the Second Round by scoring a career-high nine points (1g-8a) in 11 games.
After making his NHL debut in 2015–16, Skjei, who was first chosen by the New York Rangers in the first round (28th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, has played in 609 games altogether and recorded 247 points (68g–179a) with a +21 rating. He played for the Rangers for the first five seasons of his career before being traded to Carolina in February 2020. He was a member of the 2017 NHL All-Rookie Team. Skjei scored 135 points (43g-92a) in 302 games while playing for the Hurricanes, surpassing the 35-point threshold in each of the previous three seasons. In his 76 career Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound left-shot defenceman has dressed for the Penguins and recorded 25 points (7g-18a) and a +13 rating.
The Lakeville, Minnesota native has represented her country abroad on multiple occasions, taking home the gold medal at the 2012 U-18 World Championship. In addition, he participated in the 2014 World Junior Championship, won silver in the 2011 U-17 World Hockey Challenge, and skated in the World Championships in 2016, 2017, and 2019.