The Nashville Predators announced the signing of Patric Hornqvist yesterday to a three year, $9.25 million dollar contract. Locking down of Hornqvist is a big vote of confidence for the young Swede, and a slight risk for the Nashville Predators. As a lot of Pred bloggers have pointed out, one season does not a career make, but Hornqvist does appear to be the real deal. Despite being the NHL equivalent of Mr. Irrelevant, he has turned himself into a bona fide NHL player and given the Predator’s European scouting staff another feather in their well-stocked cap.

Hornqvist’s breakout season came at a great time as he entered restricted free agency, his 30 goals and 21 assists tied for the team lead in points. His 275 shots broke the franchise record last year. Hornqvist plays with sandpaper, loves to clog the middle and cause all kinds of havoc for opponents with his grit. By my calculations, the signing of Hornqvist puts the Predators just shy of $48 million against the cap with Cody Franson left to sign.

Folks may quibble a bit on the length and amount of this contract but I won’t. It’s the right amount and right length for a player just getting started… and the best news (as pointed out by our good friend Dirk Hoag) is that he will still be an RFA at the end of this contract. That’s a win for David Poile and the Preds.

Another piece of the puzzle has clicked into place in this unexpectedly busy offseason… 45 days to opening night.

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Random Notes

- Interesting info from Bryan Mullen in the Tennessean today regarding the last Pred RFA, Cody Franson. According to Mullen, the negotiations haven’t gone well, the Preds and Franson haven’t talked for 10 days. My take? Mr. Franson needs to get real and understand that the Nashville blueline has depth and prospects coming up in the rear view mirror, David Poile is quoted in the same story “He has to earn his spot.”

- On another front in the same article from Mullen, he quotes Poile about getting Shea Weber extended with some very positive language… read the whole article here.

- Good take from our good friend Dirk Hoag on the Hornqvist signing, calling out the fact that Hornqvist doesn’t need the denizens of Pred Nation to yell “SHOOT!” Read his always excellent analysis here.

- Fernando Pisani to the Blackhawks… Hmmm… a “change of scenery” player??

- Looks like folks are starting to have a little fun at the world hockey summit with IIHF president Rene Fassel threatening the NHL to stay out of Europe. This could get fun, especially if the poop throwing continues... stay tuned.

- The questions are flying about Roberto Luongo remaining captain of the Vancouver Canucks. A goaltender captain is always a little dicey, especially given the high-media pressure in a market like Vancouver. I believe he needs to give it up and concentrate on stopping pucks, a split focus is not good between the pipes.

- More news from Vancouver as it appears Sami Salo and Pred Nation "fave" Alex Burrows will be on the long term injury list at the beginning of the season, both recovering from off-season surgeries. Salo may miss the entire year, Burrows may be out until December.

- Nice piece from Sun Media’s Chris Stevenson about ex-Pred Bob Boughner preaching skill development. He is the latest addition to the Columbus coaching staff after guiding his Windsor Spitfires (featuring Pred prospect Ryan Ellis) to consecutive Memorial Cups. Check out the column here.

- 23 days till training camp opens.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating with starting lineups and scratches during Pred home games, also I’ll be supplying information and explanations from the PA box.

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