Predators Sign Mark Dekanich to One Year, Two-Way Deal

The Nashville Predators signed another RFA this afternoon, locking up goaltender Mark Dekanich to a one-year, two-way deal. This has been a move that has been expected and was actually Tweeted by Dekanich last week.

If the Preds do not sign another free agent goalie, Dekanich would be the odds on favorite to start the season os Pekka Rinne's backup. He looked good in the preseason last year with the Preds but then had a rough go at times in Milwaukee.

Here is the full release from the Predators...


PREDATORS SIGN GOALIE MARK DEKANICH TO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (August 9, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed restricted free-agent goaltender Mark Dekanich to a one-year, two-way contract worth $550,000 at the National Hockey League level and $75,000 at the American Hockey League level.

Dekanich, 24 (5/10/86), has spent both of his professional seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), ranking fifth among AHL netminders in goals-against average (2.33), tied for fifth in shutouts (4) and tied for eighth in wins (27) during the 2009-10 campaign, his first as a starter. As a rookie in 2008-09, the North Vancouver, B.C., native ranked second in the American League in goals-against average (2.09) and fifth in save percentage (.923), allowing two goals or fewer in 24 of his 30 games played in 2008-09.

The 6-3, 190-pound Dekanich spent four seasons at Colgate University from 2004-08, finishing his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in games played (118), saves (3,071), save percentage (.923) and shutouts (11). He was Nashville’s third choice, 146th overall (fifth round), in the 2006 Entry Draft.

The Milwaukee Admirals also formulated their own release...

DEKANICH SIGNS ONE YEAR DEAL WITH NASHVILLE
Goalie Holds Admirals Record for GAA in One Season

Nashville, TN--Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed restricted free-agent goaltender Mark Dekanich to a one-year, two-way contract.

Dekanich has spent both of his professional seasons with the Admirals, ranking fifth among AHL netminders in goals-against average (2.33), tied for fifth in shutouts (4) and tied for eighth in wins (27) during the 2009-10 campaign, his first as the primary starter. As a rookie in 2008-09, the North Vancouver, B.C., native set an Admirals franchise record and was second in the AHL with a 2.09 GAA. He was also fifth in the league in save percentage (.923) and allowed two goals or fewer in 24 of his 30 games played in 2008-09.

The 6-3, 190-pound Dekanich spent four seasons at Colgate University from 2004-08, finishing his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in games played (118), saves (3,071), save percentage (.923) and shutouts (11). He was Nashville’s third choice, 146th overall (fifth round), in the 2006 Entry Draft.

The Admirals kick off the home portion of the 2010-11 campaign on Saturday, October 9 and season tickets for the upcoming season are on sale now for as little as $145. For more information or to order season tickets, fans should call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@mkeadmirals) and on Facebook!

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass