The Nashville Predators are preparing for first round pick Seth Jones to be part of their roster next season.
The Predators reportedly had Jones as the top-ranked player on their draft board and GM David Poile told reporters Tuesday that the defenceman will likely start the season with the big club in Nashville.
With Jones coming in, the Predators have already begun to make changes on their defensive corps as Poile said the team has waived veteran blueliner Hal Gill.
Gill, 38, was in the final year of his contract where he was scheduled to have a salary cap hit of $2 million.
The 6-foot-7 American registered no points, 12 penalty minutes with a minus-3 rating in 32 games with Nasvhille last season.
Heading into free agency, the Predators are expected to look to address their forward position
Poile said the team has already had talks with former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier but he believes the veteran centre would prefer his next destination to be on the East Coast.
NHL free agency officially begins on July 5.
