Predators lock up Mike Fisher with two-year extension

The Nashville Predators had big news at their annual Skate of the Union address when they announced that Milk Fisher agreed to a two-year extension that will keep him in Nashville for the next three seasons. Here is the full release from the Predators...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN MIKE FISHER TO A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (August 20, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Mike Fisher to a two-year, $8.4 million contract that will pay him $4.2 million in both 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Fisher, 32 (6/5/80), ranked second on the Predators in goals (24) and third in points (51) in 2011-12, in addition to ranking 11th in the NHL in game-winning goals (7). His offensive numbers – coupled with his solid defensive play (he posted a +11 and tied for eighth among NHL forwards in blocked shots with 76) – earned him the seventh-most votes for the Selke Trophy. The Peterborough, Ont., native also became the franchise’s second-ever award winner as the recipient of the 2012 NHL Foundation Award, which recognizes a player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community. In 774 career regular-season NHL games with Ottawa and Nashville since 1999, Fisher has amassed 411 points (196g-215a). In 97 playoff contests, he has 39 points (18g-21a) and advanced to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.

Ottawa’s second selection, 44th overall (second round), in the 1998 Entry Draft was acquired by the Predators on Feb. 10, 2011 and proceeded to pace the club in points (3g-3a-6pts) during the franchise’s first-ever series victory over Anaheim in the 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals. He has twice represented Canada at the World Championships (2005 and 2009), earning a silver medal on both occasions.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators add experience to their defense with the signing of Scott Hannan

The Nashville Predators made a move to add another experienced defenseman to their roster this morning with the announcement of the signing of Scott Hannan.

Here is the full release from the Predators...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN DEFENSEMAN SCOTT HANNAN

Nashville, Tenn. (August 17, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Scott Hannan to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Hannan, 33 (1/23/79), has amassed 197 points (33g-164a) and 522 penalty minutes in 908 regular-season games and 15 points (1g-14a) and 89 penalty minutes in 82 playoff games with San Jose, Colorado, Washington and Calgary since the 1998-99 season. The 6-1, 225-pound blueliner enters the 2012-13 season having played more games than any NHL defenseman in the last 10 seasons (798). Hannan dressed for 75-or-more games for the 11th consecutive season (78), and averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons (20:21) with the Calgary Flames a season ago.

The Richmond, B.C., native was drafted 23rd overall (first round) by San Jose in the 1997 Entry Draft, and was part of the gold medal-winning Canadian squad at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He joins captain Shea Weber as Kelowna Rocket alums in the Predators organization, having posted 139 points (46g-91a) and 339 penalty minutes in 235 games with the club from 1995-99.

With the Hannan signing, the Predators now have two defensemen with more than 800 games of NHL experience for the first time in franchise history (Hannan, 908gp; Hal Gill, 1,070gp). Both veterans – in addition to top-four blueliner Kevin Klein – also perennially rank among the League leaders in average penalty kill time on ice and blocked shots. That trio joins the two-time Norris Trophy runner-up Weber and talented, offensively gifted under-23 NHLers Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis, giving the Predators both three left shooting and three right shooting defensemen among their balanced top-six corps.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Details announced for Monday's Predators Skate of the Union

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SKATE OF THE UNION TOWN HALL MEETING SET FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 20
-Event highlighted by autograph session, open skate and Town Hall meeting-

WHAT: Nashville Predators’ Skate of the Union Town Hall Meeting

·Event highlighted by player autographs, open skate, select a seat/open house, Pro Shop deals, an auction item fire sale, Smashville Rewards demo, Smash Hit Karaoke and Town Hall meeting.

WHO:  Nashville Predators players, executives and personalities

WHEN: Monday, August 20, 4-8 p.m.

·4-5:30 p.m. – Open skate

·4:30-6 p.m. – Photo opportunities with select players

·5-6 p.m. – Player autographs on concourse

·6:15-6:45 p.m. – Q&A with select players on stage

·6:45-7:45 p.m. – Town Hall meeting  with Tom Cigarran, Jeff Cogen, Sean Henry, David Poile and Peter Horachek. Questions may be submitted online via social media and at main doors of event

WHERE: Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville TN

NOTES: Players scheduled to appear include Jon Blum, Mike Fisher, Paul Gaustad, Hal Gill, Kevin Klein, Chris Mason, Brian McGrattan, Craig Smith and Colin Wilson.

Attendees to Monday’s event will receive a special discount of 25 percent on tickets to Petey’s Preds Party on September 17.

The Predators flagship radio station 102.5 The Game will broadcast live from the Skate of the Union Town Hall Meeting.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators month-long celebration begins today with Bridgestone Open House

The Nashville Predators kick off what will be a month long celebration of all things Preds hockey today with an open house at Bridgestone Arena today.

Later this month there will be a town hall forum with players and coaches at the annueal Skate of the union address.

Predators Executive Vice President Chris Parker explained the events, “Our annual Skate of the Union event has grown so much over the years that we have decided to make the festivities even grander by breaking them up into two separate events. Next Saturday’s (today) on-sale event will feature an Open House that includes several popular fan experiences such as a used equipment sale, locker room tours and an open skate. The festivities will culminate later in August with a Town Hall Meeting featuring Shea Weber, David Poile, Barry Trotz, Tom Cigarran and Jeff Cogen.”

Here is a breakdown of all of todays events...

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

·Arrive to be Entered to Win a Pair of 2012-13 Season Tickets – 10-11 a.m.

·Box Office Opens/Tickets on Sale – 10 a.m.

·Stick-n-Puck Session – 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Stick-n-Puck session is good for players of all ages (youth and adult) to get on the ice and work on different puck handling and shooting skills. Instruction will not be provided. Full ice hockey equipment required; participants must supply their own equipment Skate and shoot at your own risk.

·Used Equipment Sale – 11 a.m. for Season Ticket Holders, 12 p.m. for the General Public

·Open Skate – 2-4 p.m., must bring own skates

·Preds Foundation Auction Item Fire Sale – 2-4 p.m.

·Pro-Shop Sidewalk Sale – All Day

·Locker Room Tours – Throughout the Day

·Inflatables and Fun on the Plaza - All Day

·Tax Free Weekend – Saturday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. through Sunday, Aug. 5 at 5 p.m.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass