Predators add to their offense
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Nashville Predators wasted no time attacking the free-agent market in an attempt to boost their anemic offense.
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On the first day of the free agency period, Nashville signed forwards Viktor Stalberg and Matt Hendricks to four-year contracts Friday. Stalberg signed a $12 million deal while Hendricks’ contract totals $7.4 million.
The Predators also signed goaltender Carter Hutton to a one-year, two-way contract worth $550,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the AHL level.
Nashville scored just 2.27 goals per game last year to match the Florida Panthers for the lowest average in the NHL.
Stalberg agreed on a $12 million contract that will pay him $2.5 million in 2013-14 and $3.5 million each in 2015-16 and 2016-17 under terms of the deal announced Friday in a team release.
The 27-year-old Stalberg had nine goals and 14 assists in 47 games for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks this season.
He appeared in 19 playoff games and had three assists.
Stalberg, a four-year veteran, had 22 goals and 43 assists for the Blackhawks in 2011-12. His contract will pay him $2.5 million in 2013-14 and $3.5 million each in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
The 32-year-old Hendricks had five goals and three assists in 48 games for the Washington Capitals this season. He led the Capitals with 73 penalty minutes and ranked third on the team in face-off efficiency (56.8 percent) and hits (93). Hendricks has 27 goals and 31 assists in 263 career games.
Hendricks’ contract will pay him $1.85 million annually over the next four years.
Hutton, 27, played one game for the Blackhawks this season and 51 games for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. He had a 2.72 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage with Rockford.
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