The Nashville Predators announced on Friday that they have signed free-agent defenseman Scott Hannan to a one-year, $1 million contract.
The 33-year-old Hannan spent the 2011-12 season with the Calgary Flames, scoring two goals to go with 10 assists in 78 games. Obviously offense isn't a big part of his game, but he's a solid, veteran defender for a team that could really use one.
Earlier this season the Predators lost unrestricted free agent Ryan Suter to the Minnesota Wild, creating quite a hole on their blue line, and they were going to be relying heavily on youngsters Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis. If nothing else Hannan gives Nashville a steady presence that can take some pressure off of the young guys and not force them into bigger roles.
Hannan played over 20 minutes per game for the Flames last season and was also one of their top penalty killers. He has been in the NHL since the start of the 1998-99 season and along with the Flames has also spent time with San Jose, Colorado and Washington.
The Predators now have six defenseman signed to NHL contracts for the upcoming season as Hannan joins Shea Weber, Hal Gill, Kevin Klein, Ellis, and Josi
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