David Poile is setting his priorities straight.
Nashville's longtime GM said he'll begin contract negotiations with pending restricted free agents Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson next week, according to NHL.com's Robby Stanley.
"We have contracts to do," Poile said. "The most notable are Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson. Both are restricted free agents (on July 1). We will meet with... both have the same agent. We'll meet with them in Chicago (at the 2017 NHL Draft) to start that process next week."
If Poile can't re-sign Johansen or Arvidsson by July 1, other teams can extend an offer sheet that Nashville will have the opportunity to match, but it is a very rare occurrence.
The trio of Johansen, Arvidsson, and Filip Forsberg found great chemistry as the team's top line - which was known as the "JOFA" line - this past season. Johansen and Arvidsson tied for the team lead in points with 61.
Considering both forwards are just 24 years old, it would make sense to lock them up to long-term deals. If that were the case, Nashville's core - comprised of the "JOFA" line, their big four on D, and Pekka Rinne in net - would all be under contract for at least the next two seasons, therefore extending the team's Stanley Cup window.
