Nashville, Tenn. –
Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has agreed to terms with center
Scott Nichol on a two-year contract and with defenseman
Alex Henry on a one-year contract.
Nichol, 32 (12/31/74), appeared in 59 games with Nashville this past season, notching 13 points (7g-6a), 79 penalty minutes and a career-best +7 rating. The 5-9, 175-pound pivot led the club with a 57.9% winning percentage (361-262) in the face-off circle and was a major contributor to the NHL’s third-ranked penalty-killing unit.
In 301 career NHL games with Nashville, Chicago, Calgary and Buffalo, Nichol has posted 64 points (30g-34a) and 573 penalty minutes. The Edmonton native was originally Buffalo’s ninth selection, 272nd overall (11th round) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
Nichol will be paid $750,000 in each of the two seasons of his contract.
Henry, 27 (10/18/79), provided a veteran presence this past season for Nashville’s primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League’s
Milwaukee Admirals. The 6-5, 220-pound defenseman appeared in 64 games with the Admirals, posting seven points (1g-6a) and 66 penalty minutes.
Prior to joining the Predators organization last season, the Elliot Lake, Ontario native played two seasons with Minnesota and registered career-highs in games played (71), goals (2), points (6) and penalty minutes (106) in 2003-04. Henry has 11 points (2g-9a) and 259 penalty minutes in 175 career NHL games with Minnesota, Edmonton and Washington. He was originally Edmonton’s second selection, 67th overall (third round), in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Henry’s contract will pay him $475,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor-league level.