Predators mailbag: Who is the first-line center?

Every week, I will answer fan questions regarding the Predators. To have yours answered, send them via Twitter @AdamVingan or email at avingan@tennessean.com.

How do you think the Preds can go about finding a first-line center, their final team need? — Cutler Klein (@CutlerKlein)

Based on the number of questions received on this particular topic, Predators fans are overwhelmingly curious as to what Nashville's plans are regarding its top center. For next season, it'll likely be Mike Ribeiro, who admirably filled that role last season with 62 points, second-most on the team, and a plus-343 shot attempt differential at even strength, fifth-highest in the NHL.

It is appropriate to wonder if Ribeiro, who will turn 36 during the season, can replicate that sort of production. The fact that the Predators' top centers — Ribeiro and Mike Fisher — are both 35 years old puts the team in a precarious situation and arguably at a disadvantage, especially when looking at their counterparts in the Central Division (Chicago's Jonathan Toews, Dallas' Tyler Seguin and St. Louis' David Backes, among others).

"We're realistic that we have two 35-year-old centers that we've eventually got to replace, whether that's in two years, three years," Predators general manager David Poile said earlier this month. "I said to both of them, 'I hope you play a lot longer than that.' But you just never know when Father Time catches (up to you)."

The free agent crop of capable centers next summer is thin, meaning that acquiring such a player would likely have to happen via trade. That seems unlikely in the immediate future.

One potential in-house option could be Cody Hodgson, signed July 1 to a one-year, $1.05 million contract.

"That's another thing which is an easy sell to a Cody Hodgson," Poile said that day. "We've got two 35-year-old centers. You play here, you could be moving up the chain real fast."

Of course, Hodgson, 25, would have to prove that he can rediscover his 40-point form, improve upon that and re-sign with the Predators, none of which are givens.

For now the Predators are comfortable with Ribeiro and Fisher anchoring their top six. Realistically, they will have to be aggressive in replacing them sooner rather than later.

True or false: The Preds will not make a big deal before next offseason in order to re-sign (Seth) Jones (and Filip) Forsberg. — @PredsTalk

True, but the Predators have never been a team that spends to the salary cap ceiling. As of Wednesday, they have roughly $12.3 million in available space and only four teams have more, according to GeneralFanager.com. More money could be available next offseason, with the likes of forward Paul Gaustad, defenseman Victor Bartley and goaltender Carter Hutton pending unrestricted free agents.

Nashville could still make "a big deal" with salary cap space to spare, but Forsberg and Jones will probably eat into much of it. Both have one year remaining on their cost-effective, entry-level contracts. Forsberg's annual salary cap charge next season will be around $895,000, according to General Fanager. Jones' will be $925,000.

"It's something that we'll probably engage, have some conversations as we get closer to training camp," Poile said Monday. "In my mind, I think the relationships are good with the players and the agents. When we (find) the opportune time to move forward with something, whether that's later in the summer or more probably during the season next year, we will try to (find) the correct time to do that."

As for how much each player could make, that is a subjective exercise.

One comparable to Forsberg is Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner, who scored 63 points in his first full season in 2010-11, the same amount as Forsberg last season. Skinner followed his rookie season with 44 points in 2011-12 and 24 during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, a 47-point pace over a full 82-game season.

Skinner cashed in with his second contract, signing a six-year deal with an annual average value (AAV) of $5.725 million. If Forsberg were to reach the 60-point plateau again or even the 50-point threshold next season, a contract with an AAV in the $5 million range could be justified.

In Jones' case, could teammate Roman Josi's contract, which has an AAV of $4 million, provide a plausible solution? Josi has developed into one of the NHL's better all-around defensemen, which is Nashville's hope for Jones.

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