Scratch Nashville Predators forward David Legwand off next summer's list of potential unrestricted free agents.
On Friday the Predators announced they'd re-signed Legwand to a six-year, $27 million contract, which averages out to $4.5 million per season, starting next season. Legwand is currently in the final year of a contract paying him $2.1 million for this season, averaging $1.85 million against the Predators cap.
It's taken a long time for Legwand to develop into a reliable second line center, although that's now how Predators management envisioned him when they selected the Detroit native second overall in the 1998 entry draft.
Back then it was thought Legwand might develop into a talent first line center but injuries and a slow adaption to the NHL game hampered him. Prior to the lockout he had three 40+ point season, but in 2005-06 injuries limited him to only 44 games and suggestions that he might be too brittle for the NHL.
Last season was a breakout performance for Legwand (27 goals, 63 points, +23) and with 21 point in 27 games he's on pace for a 66 point season, which would be his career best.
The reason for Legwand's success since last season was the addition in the summer of 2006 of veteran center Jason Arnott, who took over the first line center role for the Predators. Without the pressure of performing on the first line Legwand was able to shine and realize his full NHL potential.
$4.5 million might seem expensive for a second-line center, and his contract will have an effect on the market value of similar centers, but it was a price the Predators were willing to pay to keep Legwand in the fold. He probably would've received that much, if not more, had he hit next summer's UFA market.
It should also dispel speculation that the Predators new ownership group might not be willing to spend to keep its best players, such as leading scorer Martin Erat, who's a restricted free agent next summer.
Erat would be a tempting offer sheet target to rival clubs, but given that the Preds have now ponied up $4.5 mil per season for Legwand, it's safe to assume they'll part with as much, perhaps more, to keep Erat in the fold.
And if Predators GM David Poile is smart, he'll get Erat under contract as soon as possible before his value gets much higher.
Are you kidding me? People wonder how salaries got out of hand? By people not gocking at contracts like this one. ****. That's all I can say. Really, do they do any sort of screening when they hire new general managers? Didn't think so. Next thing you're going to tell me that Stoll is going to turn things around and sign for 5 million a year.
don't blame the preds....remember that first owner leipold originally tried to get this wacky leagie to limit spending with caps and the like. until a major tv contract hits, i don't see how the nhl can sustain such money hits!!
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
