Breakdown: Predators sign Miroslav Svoboda to two-year, entry-level contract

The Nashville Predators have returned to the European goalie pool to add to their pipeline. The team has announced the signing of goaltender Miroslav Svoboda from HC Plzen of the top Czech league - the same organization that produced Marek Mazanec.

The recently-turned 23-year-old was initially drafted 208th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015 - that’s three picks after the Predators chose goaltender Evan Smith who retired from hockey the following season. If you have an idea of how reserve lists work in the NHL CBA, you may be wondering why Svoboda still isn’t Oilers property. I’ll create a quick comparison to explain:

Karel Vejmelka was drafted that same year out of the Czech Republic. He…