Jack Drury Signs Five-Year, $22.5 Million Deal with Nashville Predators

After a refreshing getaway in the Bahamas, Jack Drury has returned to the NHL landscape with exciting news. The former Colorado Avalanche forward has secured a substantial five-year contract with the Nashville Predators, worth $22.5 million, marking a significant milestone in his career.

This new deal, which averages $4.5 million annually, ensures that the 26-year-old center will remain with Nashville through the 2030-31 season. The contract stipulates that Drury will earn $4 million during the 2026-27 season, with his salary increasing to $4.625 million each year for the final four seasons. Notably, beginning in 2027-28, Drury will receive full no-trade protection for two years, transitioning to an eight-team no-trade list for the last two years of the agreement.

New Predators general manager Chris MacFarland has quickly made his mark by investing in a player he knows well. Drury was acquired from Colorado just days prior to this contract agreement, in a deal that sent former first-round picks Zachary L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov to the Avalanche, alongside forward Chase Bradley and a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft heading to Nashville. This trade highlights MacFarland’s high regard for Drury, having witnessed his growth firsthand during their time together in Colorado.

While Drury may not be recognized as a high-scoring player, he enjoyed his best offensive season yet in 2025-26, netting 10 goals and matching his career-high with 27 points—17 of which were assists. His durability was also commendable, as he played in all 82 regular-season games, providing Colorado with reliable depth in the center position.

Beyond his offensive contributions, Drury became a key faceoff specialist for the Avalanche, winning 58.1 percent of his draws in the regular season. His performance improved in the playoffs, where he achieved a faceoff win rate above 61 percent and contributed three goals and two assists in 13 postseason games. Such attributes are often noted by coaches and general managers, even if they don’t always make the headlines.

MacFarland clearly believes there is untapped potential in Drury’s offensive game. Over parts of five NHL seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes and Avalanche, he has accumulated 30 goals and 52 assists for a total of 82 points in 268 games. Nashville views these statistics as just a glimpse of what Drury can achieve.

By securing Drury before free agency, the Predators avoided the risk of him entering the offseason as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. Instead, they have provided him with long-term security, reinforcing MacFarland’s conviction that Drury can play a pivotal role in the future of the Predators.

Even with this new commitment, Nashville maintains nearly $20 million in salary cap space, offering MacFarland significant flexibility as he continues to shape the roster in his first offseason as general manager. His track record in Colorado suggests he is not aiming for minor tweaks; instead, he’s focused on building a team that aligns with his vision. Nashville appears poised to remain a force in the NHL as it strives to reestablish itself as a genuine Stanley Cup contender.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.