The Nashville Predators secured forward Jack Drury on a five-year, $22.5 million contract Sunday, finalizing a deal four days after acquiring him from Colorado. Drury played all 82 regular-season games last season, setting career highs with 10 goals and 27 points while maintaining his reputation as one of the league's premier faceoff specialists.

Chris Mac Farland, Nashville's general manager, praised Drury as a hard-working, reliable center who excels in tough assignments. The 26-year-old won 58.1% of his faceoffs last season, ranking fifth among players taking at least 900 draws. He contributed three goals and two assists across 13 playoff games during Colorado's run to the Western Conference finals.

Drury comes from a hockey family - his father Ted Drury played in the NHL, and his uncle Chris Drury currently serves as the New York Rangers' general manager. Drafted by Carolina in the second round in 2018, Drury has appeared in 268 career regular-season games, recording 30 goals and 52 assists with a 57.1% faceoff percentage. Mac Farland previously acquired Drury while serving as Colorado's GM in 2025.

This signing addresses Nashville's need for center depth after trading Zachary L'Heureux and Fedor Svechkov to Colorado. Drury provides immediate value in the faceoff circle while bringing playoff experience to a Predators team looking to improve its middle-of-the-ice presence.