Two Hours into Free Agent Frenzy and the Nashville Predators have been more active than originally predicted.
The Predators have acquired former St. Louis Blue defenseman Barrett Jackman, signing the big blueliner for 2 years at a cap hit of $2 million per season.
This is the type of player missing from the Preds lineup over the past few seasons. The perfect compliment to the Predators defense corps, a player that has grit and will add the kind of sandpaper that this team has needed.
The kind of veteran leadership and experience that will make the blueline better.
A second signing came across the wires about 30 minutes later, former Buffalo Sabre Cody Hodgson. Signed for one year at just a tad over a million dollars, a nice little low risk / high potential deal that Preds GM David Poile has become really good at.
Hodgson is a 25 year old center that was the 10th overall selection by Vancouver in the 2008 draft. He scored 20 goals back in 13-14 and represented Canada at the 2014 Worlds, posting over a point per game in that tournament. His productivity fell off dramatically last season, only posting 13 points (6g,7a) in his 78 games for a very bad Sabres team.
The Predators have announced a media availability for 3pm CDT where GM David Poile will discuss the acquisitions.
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Random Notes
- One more SlapShot Radio to go… our season finale tonight as we welcome Preds Assistant Coach and latest inductee to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Phil Housley, we will also welcome Predators TV Analyst Stu Grimson for the entire show to help us review the winners and losers on draft day and a first take on UFA day… coming up tonight at 6pm on 94.9 Game 2.
- The Ribeiro deal makes sense in both term and dollars…
- Alex Semin was bought out by Carolina wasn’t a surprise… wondering where he might land… lots of talent, questionable heart.
- The Brandon Saad trade really has me scratching my head. Were they that far apart in the negotiations?
- Then the Blackhawks announce a five year $4.5 million per year extension for Artem Arnisimov.
- Kevin Bieksa to the Ducks and immediately extended… good move in Anaheim.
- Detroit bought out Stephen Weiss yesterday… negating the final three years of a five year $24.9 million deal.
- Why is it that every player that gets traded from Boston gets slagged on the way out?
- Congratulations to the US Women’s Soccer Team on a great victory over Germany yesterday.
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The Predators may be done, but SlapShot Radio is not, we continue our playoff coverage all the way through to UFA day. Our season finale is Wednesday at 6pm on 94.9 Game 2. We welcome Stu Grimson to the studio to help us put a bow on the season and take a look ahead.
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