Everblades Sign Predators' Hnidy

[VodkaFish]

ESTERO, Fla. – The Florida Everblades announced that they have signed Nashville Predators defenseman Shane Hnidy, who will be in uniform when the Everblades play at Gwinnett on Tuesday. Hnidy began his professional career with Baton Rouge of the ECHL in 1996-97.

The 28-year-old Hnidy scored 13 points (3g-10a) in 21 regular season games with Baton Rouge before being called up to Saint John of the American Hockey League where he scored 14 points (2g-12a) in 44 regular season games.

Acquired from Ottawa on March 9, 2004, Hnidy had two assists and 10 penalty minutes in nine regular season games for the Predators and appeared in five of Nashville's six playoff games. In 37 games with Ottawa in 2003-04, the 6-2 and 210-pound Hnidy had five assists and 72 penalty minutes.

Selected in the seventh round (173rd overall) by Buffalo in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Hnidy has 22 points (4g-18a) and 353 penalty minutes in 198 regular season NHL games and two points (1g-1a) and 18 penalty minutes in 19 NHL playoff games.

[98AccordEX]

can someone explain to me why all these NHL guys are going to the play in the ECHL instead of the AHL?

[WolfKeeper]

Family and home close to the team.

(I'm not saying that's the case for Hnidy, but it's happening with other players.)

[VodkaFish]

Another things is, and I'm not sure about all of them, but if they get the "Scott Gomez deal" then they're not taking someone else's roster spot as one is actually added for them.