Perbix Excited to Add Size, Defensive Prowess to Preds

Nick Perbix had never been through the NHL’s free agency process before, but when Nashville called on July 1, he couldn’t say no.

The Predators inked the 27-year-old defenseman to a two-year, $5.5 million contract last week, and after enjoying some dinner and live music on Monday night in his new city, Perbix met the media Tuesday morning to discuss the next chapter of his career.

“[Free agency is] pretty unique, and obviously [Nashville] is a great city, great fan base, obviously tough place to play from playing on the other side of things, so that was exciting,” Perbix said of the decision to join the Preds. “Obviously, they didn't have the year that they wanted last year, but I know, looking at this roster and playing against them, it's definitely not like how I think this year will go. So, it's definitely an appealing team.”

The feeling was mutual for Predators General Manager Barry Trotz.

Standing 6-foot-4 and possessing a right-handed shot, Perbix completed his third full NHL season in 2024-25 with Tampa Bay, scoring a career-high six goals and adding 19 points and a plus-8 rating in 74 appearances. A 2017 sixth-round draft pick of the Lightning, Perbix averaged 14:41 of ice time last season, blocked 67 shots and dished out 50 hits.

All 220 of his NHL games came in Tampa Bay while recording 63 points (13g-50a) over that span. An alumnus of St. Cloud State, the Minnesota native has also represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2023 World Championship.

Those experiences, coupled with the opportunity to learn from some of the League’s best defensemen in Tampa, have helped Perbix become a more-than-serviceable everyday NHLer.

“Just being around guys like [Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman]…and even [former Preds defenseman] Ryan McDonough who was here, you learn a lot from those types of guys,” Perbix said. “I just kind of pride myself on focusing on keeping the puck out of the net, and everyone likes to be up in the offense, but that's my number one thing - kind of just that puck moving defenseman and working from our net out.

“I think one thing is just being hard to play against. The bigger you are, the longer the stick, the less passing lanes there are to go to get through us. I think that's just one thing we can really use to our advantage.”

Perbix, who says he’s spoken to new teammates like Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly, is also looking forward to being reunited with Steven Stamkos, his first captain in Tampa Bay once turning pro. Plus, the chance to simply live in Nashville doesn’t hurt either.

“That was definitely another thing that brought me to the team, because obviously, it's not only hockey, you get to live here too,” Perbix said. “You get to hopefully have family here. My fiancée will be coming with me, and so it was appealing to everything with that. I mean, Nashville… there’s a reason why so many people want to come here, even just outside of hockey. And so that was definitely one thing that was very appealing.”

As Perbix and his fiancée both enjoy some time on the golf course over the next two months, the blueliner will take the rest of the summer to find a spot in Nashville and continue his offseason regimen before reporting for training camp in September, and he’s hoping to be part of a turnaround from what the Preds experienced last season.

“I've talked to some of the other guys that have played here, and they all liked it,” Perbix said. “Obviously, the city is a great city. Inside the organization is great; even with the staff and everything, they reached out, just little stuff like that, everyone helping out, finding a place to live, just stopping and talking to all the staff. I mean, it's just very helpful. Everyone wants everyone to succeed, which is very important for a whole organization.”