The opening of the free agency signing period was intense. It started with the Nashville Predators signing Nick Bonino away from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then news broke of a trade with the Colorado Avalanche, just not one that we all expected. Later in the day, the team added Scott Hartnell, returning to the team that drafted him.
Far later in the day, when many thought the team was finished, another trade. This time, the Predators acquired defenseman Alexei Emelin from the Vegan Golden Knights. But why? The team was already stacked with talent on defense.