Predators Claim Marek Svatos On Waivers From St. Louis

The Nashville Predators claimed Marek Svatos off of waivers from the St. Louis Blues who had signed him to a two-way deal worth $800,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL yesterday.

Svatos had three goals and five assists playing 19 games with Omsk Avangard in the KHL this season. Svatos scored seven goals and four assists in 54 games last year with Colorado in the NHL but missed 18 games with groin and chest injuries.

Svatos is 28 years old, 5'10" and hails from Kosice, Slovakia. He was drafted 227th overall by the Avalanche in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He has played 316 NHL games in his career and has 96 goals and 68 assists.

His best season was in 2005-06 when he had 32 goals and 18 assists in 61 games with Colorado. He fractured his shoulder om March 9, 2006 and was unable to finish the season.

Svatos has missed games each season with various injuries in his five year NHL career.

It is unknown at this time when he will report to the Predators.

------------------------------------------------
Update...

Here is the official release from the Predators...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS CLAIM MAREK SVATOS ON WAIVERS

Nashville, Tenn. (December 29, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has claimed forward Marek Svatos (MAIR-ehk SVA-tohs) on waivers from St. Louis.

Svatos, 28 (6/17/82), has played 316 career NHL games – all with the Colorado Avalanche – between 2003-10, amassing 164 points (96g-68a) and 207 penalty minutes. The Kosice, Slovakia native is a two-time 25-goal scorer, amassing career highs in goals (32) and points (50) in 2005-06. The 5-8, 187-pound right wing began the 2010-11 campaign with Avangard Omsk of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League, posting eight points (3g-5a) in 19 contests before signing a one-year contract with the Blues on Tuesday. Svatos was originally selected 227th overall (seventh round) by the Avalanche in the 2001 Entry Draft.

The Predators are back in action on New Year’s Eve when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild at the Xcel Energy Center (5 p.m. CT, FOX Sports Tennessee, 102.9 FM The Buzz). They return to Smashville on Sunday for an intra-divisional bout with the Columbus Blue Jackets (102.9 FM The Buzz). Sunday’s game is a special 5 p.m. early start, making the game perfect for families with young children. Tickets are still available for the Preds first game of 2011 and may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, by calling (615) 770-PUCK (7825) or online via ticketmaster.com or nashvillepredators.com.


More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass