Wade Belak Re-Signed by the Predators

Wade Belak was re-signed by the Preds for next season. This was announced at the afternoon post-season presser at the Bridgestone Arena.

This was probably not the move that Predator fans were holding their breath waiting to hear but each move puts one more piece of the puzzle together for the 2010-2011 season.

Comments on Twitter seem mixed with the announcement but It is a good deal for Wade and the Preds. The bottom line is that the Preds need an enforcer and the price for Belak is right. He also brings a lot to the dressing room, the community, and the TV broadcasts. Hopefully, he will do another night at Zanies too since I missed the first one.

I know that I have complained about the nature of the fights that Belak has participated in during the season but that is more commentary on heavyweight bouts between enforcers that Belak specifically.

So as long as an enforcer is still a part of the NHL, this move makes sense.

Here is the official release from the Predators...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN FORWARD WADE BELAK TO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (April 29, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Wade Belak to a one-year, $575,000 contract.

Belak, 33 (7/3/76), suited up for 39 Predators games in 2009-10, posting a pair of assists and 58 penalty minutes. Since being acquired on American Thanksgiving 2008, the Saskatoon, Sask., has racked up four assists and 112 penalty minutes in 77 games with Nashville. Quebec’s first choice (12th overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Belak has played in 534 career NHL games for five teams (Colorado, Calgary, Toronto, Florida and Nashville) since 1996-97, notching 33 points (8g-25a) and 1,245 penalty minutes.

The 6-5, 222-pounder also co-hosts the Blackstone Hockey Night radio show on 104.5 The Zone during the season, and has also gained popularity for his “Wade’s World” segment on Nashville’s FOX Sports Tennessee broadcasts.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass