Saturday, July 03, 2010

Lombardi Signs in Nashville

The Predators have been waiting in the weeds in this free agent frenzy, but they have gone out and picked up one of the top 20 free agents I had listed in Matthew Lombardi, signing him to a 3-year deal, worth $10.5 million. Lombardi should be a good addition to the Predators with his speed, likely meshing well with the young players coming through Nashville, much like he did in Phoenix in 2010.

Lombardi finally broke out of his shell on the scoresheet, chalking up 19 goals and 34 assists in 78 games with the Coyotes in 2010. That season lifted him up to 108th in pool scoring, 80th among forwards, which was up from 159th overall in 2009. Those rankings also make him top dog among forwards in Nashville, so there will likely be some added expectations on him.

ForwardsDefenseGoalies
Matthew LombardiShea WeberPekka Rinne
Steve SullivanRyan Suter
Martin EratFrancis Bouillon
J-P DumontKevin Klein
David Legwand
Joel Ward
Marcel Goc
Jordin Tootoo
Colin Wilson
Jarred Smithson
Wade Belak

Salary CapThe Predators are putting along this Summer, slowly piecing together a team, currently having 16 players signed on for $40.9 million against the cap. They still have plenty of room to wiggle around with some free agents, if they so feel the need.  I'll be looking towards the Predators to still sign a couple forwards, three defense and add a back-up goalie to the list.  They do have some quality young players on their roster and there is a good chance we will see a few of them line-up for the Predators, just to add some more youth to a fairly middle-aged club.

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