Predators, Craig Smith pleased with new contract

As the Predators negotiated with restricted free agent forward Craig Smith, there was a mutually held belief that the two sides would agree to a new contract. They really had no choice, since an arbitrator would make a decision for them if they couldn't reach one themselves.

"At the time, it just, for whatever reason, it wasn't right; it just didn't feel right," Smith said during a phone interview Tuesday. "We couldn't get close enough that we thought a deal was going to get done beforehand, so we went through with arbitration."

Smith reportedly proposed a salary of $4.75 million in the brief that his representation submitted prior to the hearing. The Predators, according to Sportsnet, countered with $3 million, highlighting the apparent gap.

Despite going through with the hearing Monday, the Predators avoided arbitration with Smith, signing him to a five-year, $21.25 million contract that satisfied all involved.

"Obviously in the end, we were going to get a deal together, whether it was before or during or after," Smith said. "If it was the arbitration number, then that's what it would have been, but I was pretty open-minded, and we were trying to work on getting things done the best we could. We were confident either way, but I'm very excited that we were both able to come to an agreement and (I can) stick around for a couple more years."

Both sides sought a long-term contract but could not agree on the annual average value. They held one more meeting before the hearing began prior to initiating the formal arbitration process, even chatting during breaks in an attempt to broker a deal.

"We went through the arbitration hearing, which was a long process, but one that both sides got to hear the other side's thoughts about Craig as a player," said Kevin Magnuson, Smith's agent. "One thing that both (Predators director of hockey operations) Brian Poile and I never wavered on was the Predators' want of Craig and their feeling of him as a key component to their run toward a Stanley Cup in the coming years. ... The communication was never broken down."

Normally, entering a meeting room for an arbitration hearing is viewed as a last resort and rarely do negotiations require that step. In this particular case, Smith's camp and the Predators weren't worried about the possibility of hurt feelings.

"I've been in situations before where that clearly was the case or going to be the case if we went to arbitration," Predators general manager David Poile said. "In this situation, I really did not feel that took place or happened. ... I'm sure if you talked to Craig Smith, he might have taken disagreement to things that we said, but I would be very surprised if he's not a very happy guy today."

Said Smith, laughing, "I'm my worst critic. ... I've probably said worse things (about) myself than what I heard (in) there."

Once the hearing ended, the Predators and Smith had time to continue negotiating before the arbitrator issued a binding ruling, which was due within 48 hours. David Poile called a meeting, where the terms of Smith's contract were finalized.

"The good news is is that we had the common sense to sit down after the delegation process was over just to talk about where we were and where our thoughts were in terms of our contract offers and our want and need for Craig to play for the Predators for more than one season," David Poile said. "We eventually were able to agree on a contract ... and we're very happy with the end result."

Reach Adam Vingan at 615-259-8023 and on Twitter @AdamVingan