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Report: Smith asking for $4.75 million ahead of arbitration date with Predators

Craig Smith

Nashville Predators center Craig Smith tries to control a bouncing puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

AP

According to Adam Vingan of The Tennessean, the Nashville Predators and 25-year-old center Craig Smith have an arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday.

This, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, shows what separates the two sides heading into that hearing:

Smith, a restricted free agent, has emerged with back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons with the Predators, scoring 24 times with 52 points in 79 games in 2013-14.

His point production dipped this past season to 44 points, but he still finished tied for second on the team alongside James Neal with 23 goals, and behind only Filip Forsberg, who had 26.

“It’s just a process,” Predators GM David Poile recently told The Tennessean.

“It’s probably actually good it’s been done because we know they’re going to be signed. It’s just how much, and it gives both sides a chance to prepare as best possible for an arbitration or maybe for a settlement.”

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