Predators sign Anton Volchenkov to one-year 1 million deal
More NHL Offseason: | | | On the same day the announced a , they had better news when it came to bolstering their promising defense. The Predators signed recent buyout recipient to a one-year, $1 million deal.Anton provides a strong veteran presence that will complement our young, talented defensive corps nicely, general manager David Poile said in a released statement. He is Jonathan Lucroy Jersey a physical, left-handed shooting defenseman who can match up with top-line forwards and effectively kill penalties.The 32-year-old Volchenkov is a veteran of 650 NHL games between the and . The Devils bought out the remaining two years of his six-year contract that would have paid him $4.25 million over the next two seasons. Hell Blank Jersey be owed a total of $5.6 million spread out over the next four years. The Preds are getting a solid veteran defenseman to add to their defensive corps which includes perennial Norris Trophy finalist , promising youngster and underrated veteran .Volchenkov is probably best used in last-pairing minutes, though he may see some top-four time. Either way, at a rate of $1 million, the Preds should be getting decent enough value Albert Pujols Jersey for the money they're paing. He does have some injury history, which will be a bit of a concern, but again, the short-term, low-money Andrelton Simmons Jersey deal minimizes the risk.Volchenkov appeared in just 56 games last season. He posted eight a sists while averaging 16:47 of ice time per game. Hell be going from one traditionally defensively sound system to another, though the Preds should play at a faster offensive pace than previously under new head coach Peter Laviolette.Primarily known for shot blocking and his physical play, Volchenkov has good size and adds a veteran presence on a D corps that still has a few younger guys earning their Mike Trout Jersey stripes like Jones, and . The Volchenkov addition should give Laviolette some lineup flexibility. Now the Preds will have ot focus on what to do about their increasingly thin center position.