Predators Add Mobility to Blue Line, Sign Domenick Fensore to One-Year Deal

Nashville, TN — The Nashville Predators have added a burst of speed and puck-moving ability to their defensive corps, signing unrestricted free agent Domenick Fensore to a one-year contract worth $1,833,333.

Fensore, 24, was originally selected 69th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2019 DCHL Entry Draft and has since carved out a reputation as a dynamic, undersizeddefenseman capable of sparking offense from the back end. The 5-foot-9 blueliner split last season between the AHL and brief NHL appearances, showcasing his skating, vision, and transition game.

“We’ve been looking to add another mobile puck mover who can play with pace and complement our current group,” Predators general manager Neil Burkholder said. “Domenick’s development curve and energy fit exactly what we’re building here in Nashville.”

Fensore spent four years at Boston University, where he captained the Terriers and posted impressive offensive totals, before turning pro. In the AHL, he’s been a reliable producer from the blue line and earned a reputation as a power-play quarterback.

The signing gives headcoach Lane Lambert another option on the back end, especially in third-pairing and special-teams situations. Fensore will likely be an injury replacement, when one of the Predators defenseman go down to injury. Fensore 24, if playing reliable and shows life could be a building piece for the clubon the blueline.

If Fensore can translate his puck-moving game to the DCHL level, the Predators could have found a low-risk, high-upside addition to a defense that already features Jacob Trouba, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Marcus Pettersson.