Kelel Ware Heat

The Nashville Predators shocked the NHL on Monday with a free agent binge that included superstar forward Steven Stamkos, 2023 Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Marchessault and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei.

The Predators are expected to sign Stamkos to a four-year deal worth $8 million annually.

The Tampa Bay Lightning allowed their captain to reach free agency while signing Carolina winger Jake Guentzel earlier Monday. Stamkos, 34, leaves the Lightning after 16 seasons, scoring 40 goals and 41 assists in 79 games in his final year in Tampa.

"Thank you, Tampa. I don't have the words yet ... I will soon. It's still too early to process," Stamkos said in a statement. "Just wanted everyone to know how thankful we are for 16 years as a Bolt. My family and I are excited for the next chapter."

Stamkos said he tried to make things work so he could stay with the Lightning, but "it didn't work out."

"It's not for a lack of effort on my side (to try) to make things work out in Tampa, but it's not fair to Nashville for me to sit here and say I really wanted to be in Tampa," Stamkos told TSN. "Everyone knows I did. It didn't work out, and I'm just as thrilled to be joining the Nashville Predators for a multitude of reasons. You can see by how aggressive they've been today that their commitment to winning is second to none."

Marchessault, 33, is expected to sign a five-year deal worth $5.5 million annually. An original Vegas Golden Knight and the MVP of their Stanley Cup run in 2023, Marchessault was the latest beloved player that Vegas jettisoned for salary cap purposes. He had 42 goals and 27 assists in 82 games last season.

Skjei, 30, was expected to sign a seven-year contract with a $7 million AAV. He's entering his 10th NHL season, having played for the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes, the latter for the past five seasons. Skjei had 47 points in 80 games last season.

Nashville also added backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood on a $3 million, two-year contract.

The Predators made the playoffs in Barry Trotz's first season as general manager, losing in Round 1.