Savvy salary-cap maneuvering has positioned the Predators to realistically challenge for the Stanley Cup for the foreseeable future.

Their core players are signed to long-term contracts that should bind them through their prime years. Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm are under contract together through the 2019-20 season.

A smaller championship window, however, exists that coincides with the two remaining years on Pekka Rinne's contract. The veteran goaltender, who turns 35 on Nov. 3, is aware of that.

“Personally, every year is my biggest chance (to win the Stanley Cup), and that’s how I look at it," Rinne said. "Of course, it gives you peace of mind that you have some of the key pieces for a long time.

"But personally of course, I have this and next year. That’s how I look at it."

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Rinne quieted doubters last season when he compiled a 1.70 goals-against average and .941 save percentage through three playoff rounds, propelling Nashville to the Stanley Cup Final.

He now has to prove that such a performance is replicable at his age to bring the Predators back there. Rinne is the NHL's fifth-oldest starter this season. Three of the four older goaltenders — Roberto Luongo (Florida), Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers) and Mike Smith (Calgary) — received their current contracts in their early 30s.

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The Ottawa Senators gave Craig Anderson, 36, a two-year, $9.5 million extension last month.

"In our projections for our rosters, we do three-to-five-year plans," Predators general manager David Poile said last month. "It's hard to do because if you use Pekka, you're using the fact that he's got two years remaining (on) his contract. But he might have five years left in his career. And if that was the case, hopefully he'll be with us."

The Predators re-signing Rinne, who will be 36 when his contract expires in 2019, doesn't seem far-fetched, though a reduced role might accompany an extension.

Nashville also has to prepare for its future by finding out if 22-year-old Juuse Saros, the league's youngest goaltender, is a legitimate successor. Saros started 19 games last season and should receive more this season.

“I’m sure they think about that. ... Juuse is a great goalie. That’s the bottom line," Rinne said. "I don’t think he’s going to be happy just sitting there watching me play all the time. He’s in that age where he’s getting better by the day. He’s improving every day. He’s starting to try to earn his minutes, and that keeps me on my toes."

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For now, the Predators' crease still belongs to Rinne, who intends to keep it for as long as he can.

“I don’t feel old," Rinne said. "I still feel like I have years left and I still feel like I can improve and get better. I think that’s a mindset that’s going to drive you and give you energy and give you strength.”

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

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PREDATORS vs. AVALANCHE

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM