Adam Vingan

USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee

Throughout the NHL season, I will take your Predators questions. To have yours answered, send them via Twitter to @AdamVingan or email avingan@tennessean.com.

What happens if (Mike Ribeiro) doesn't go to (the American Hockey League)? And can (the Predators) not force him to go? — Daniel Matlock (@matlock_daniel)

Ribeiro passed through waivers unclaimed after the Predators placed him there Friday. On Saturday, Nashville assigned the veteran center to the American Hockey League. The plan as of now is for Ribeiro to report to the Milwaukee Admirals and join them for practice Monday.

Teams have suspended players for failing to report to the AHL, leading to the forfeiture of their salaries. If Ribeiro weren't to show, he could lose what remains of his $3.5 million salary, though he's still being paid nearly $2 million per season by the Coyotes, who bought him out in July 2014.

The 36-year-old requested a trade, but being placed on waivers and then going unclaimed shows that there's no interest in his services elsewhere. Ribeiro remains a part of the Predators organization for now, but his time within it is essentially over.

RELATED: Vernon Fiddler rejoins Predators in trade from Devils

Realistic (contract extension) terms for (Viktor) Arvidsson and (Ryan) Johansen? — Boyd (@Boyd_1212)

Arvidsson's three-year, entry-level contract expires this summer, and the pending restricted free agent's superb play this season (13 goals, 32 points) should net him a well-deserved raise.

His NHL salary this season is $640,000, according to CapFriendly.com. That should more than double.

It wouldn't be surprising if Arvidsson, who has made a serious case to be among the players that Nashville protects in June's expansion draft, were to receive a contract similar to forward Calle Jarnkrok's six-year, $12 million deal.

In regards to Johansen, that negotiation will be trickier. As a pending restricted free agent with a current salary of $6 million, Johansen may not settle for less than $7 million per year.

He may not be worth that much when compared to other centers with similar salaries, but he's the Predators' leading scorer and No. 1 center. They can't afford to lose him, which leaves Johansen, 24, in an advantageous position. Perhaps the length of his next contract will be shorter — maybe three or four years — so he can further prove that he's worth the cost of a top center in the NHL.

What is the number the Predators will need in points to hold their spot and stay in the playoff picture? — Roman C. Haviland (@channingrome)

Claiming third place in the Central Division appears to be the Predators' clearest route to a playoff spot. They currently hold that spot with 58 points, trailing the first-place Wild by 15 points and the second-place Blackhawks by 11 points.

Although the Predators suffered a shutout loss to the Red Wings on Saturday, their three closest pursuers — the Blues (three points back), Jets (four points) and Stars (six points) — all lost in regulation, too.

Nashville has more of a buffer in third place than it does in the wild-card race, where the Kings (58 points) and Flames (57 points) inhabit the two spots. In the past three seasons, only one NHL team has made the playoffs with fewer than 90 points, so that's the likely cutoff despite the Western Conference being weaker this season.

The Predators have the fifth-best record in the West since Jan. 1 at 9-5-2, and keeping at that pace should get them to the postseason.

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

NEXT GAME

PREDATORS vs. CANUCKS

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM