From the Preds PR Office...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN PATRIC HORNQVIST TO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (August 24, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Patric Hornqvist to a three-year, $9.25 million contract.

Hornqvist, 23 (1/1/87), became the first Nashville draft pick to score 30 goals for the club, leading the team and registering the fourth highest total in franchise history in the category in 2009-10. The Sollentuna, Sweden native tied a franchise record and tied for second in the NHL in game-winning goals (8) last season and also led the club in power-play goals (10). In 2009-10, he also tied for the team lead in points (30g-21a-51pts) and set a franchise record for shots in a season (275).

Hornqvist experienced a 28-goal increase from 2008-09, making him just the second player in the last nine seasons to experience such an increase (minimum 20 games in the first season). The 5-11, 186-pound forward had the fewest NHL games experience (108) and the lowest average ice time (15:41) among the NHL’s Top-20 goal scorers in 2009-10. He posted five multi-goal games, tied for the third-highest single-season total in franchise history and paced all Nashville skaters in plus/minus rating (+18).

Nashville’s seventh choice, 230th overall (seventh round), in the 2005 Entry Draft, Hornqvist is the ninth of 43 players selected with the final pick of an entry draft (modern era, since 1969) to go on to play in the NHL. He is one of only three players picked last overall to play at least 100 NHL games and score at least 20 goals. Hornqvist also skated in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, playing in all four games for his native Sweden.

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Random Notes - Amidst the hubbub of the World Hockey Summit, there are a few nuggets from around Pred Nation and the rest of the league.

- The David Legwand rumors have been flying hot and heavy… last Friday was a little crazy as it took on a life of its’ own, I know I was expecting one of those late Friday David Poile announcements… but it did not happen. Things have quieted considerably since then. I could be wrong, but I don’t think anything will happen on this front.

- Is there a remaining UFA out there that could be useful in Pred colors? Lee Stempniak perhaps? Marek Svatos? Kyle Wellwood? I would not be surprised by a pre-camp signing…

- Along with the Legwand rumors, there have also been rumors of a return of Paul Kariya. Paul is a great guy and I wouldn’t mind seeing him back for a season, especially given the chemistry he and David Legwand showed during his time in Nashville… but it is my belief that ship has sailed.

- A very interesting experiment with having a referee off-ice happened at the NHL RDO camp. The idea was to still have two refs, but clear some space on the ice with an official off the ice still responsible for making calls. Read the entire story at NHL.com. Fascinating idea, I’m not sure that I like it, but I don’t hate it…

- The regular season tie-breaker change in the NHL being reported by ESPN is a good idea. The idea is to remove shootout wins from the first tiebreaker in determining playoffs eligibility and seedings. It won’t make a huge difference, but it will stop the whining about shootout wins.

- In one fell swoop, the Chicago Blackhawks made their cap issues go away as Cristobal Huet will be playing in the Swiss League this year… pretty nifty trick!

- Interesting that the KHL has a seat at the World Hockey Summit… I wonder when the rumors start of moving Salavat Yulaev to Hamilton?

- Speaking of the Summit… The Olympic question is bound to come up. It is my belief that the NHL should participate in the Olympics, but I agree with Brian Burke’s suggestion about moving it to the Summer Games, you know, like basketball…

- Registration for the next Predator's Get Out and Learn (GOAL) Program begins today (8/24) at 9am. Get in early as these very popular youth hockey development session fill up fast. For more information go to the Preds website. This is a great way to introduce your young child to hockey for free.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating with starting lineups and scratches during Pred home games, also I’ll be supplying information and explanations from the PA box.

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