Predators Agree to Terms With Nichol and Henry

[VodkaFish]

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.

[Podollan]

Henry is a bargain imo... such a cheap price.. for a guy with a lot of heart-
He is a decent fighter and IMO not a bad player either.

Too bad he won't come back to Germany -

Nichol is a dirty midget... but more interesting than an european player.

[Snipes19]

It's good that they signed these guys to keep the toughness on their team.

But even so, things aren't looking the best for the Preds right now. Kariya and Forsberg could both leave due to free agency, they already traded off Hartnell and Timonen, they traded Vokoun, and now rumor has it that Dumont and Zidlicky could be on their way out too. Ouch. And it's not like they can just snap their fingers and fix this through new free agents either - because Nashville isn't a very appealing destination to a lot of the players right now.

[cowboy]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

It's good that they signed these guys to keep the toughness on their team.

But even so, things aren't looking the best for the Preds right now. Kariya and Forsberg could both leave due to free agency, they already traded off Hartnell and Timonen, they traded Vokoun, and now rumor has it that Dumont and Zidlicky could be on their way out too. Ouch. And it's not like they can just snap their fingers and fix this through new free agents either - because Nashville isn't a very appealing destination to a lot of the players right now.

Nashville is still better then the majority of the teams in the west, even with whose left.

[JKidd]

I wish we still had Alex Henry in Minny, instead of that woman Adam Hall (who is thankfully gone) or Wyatt Smith. I cant believe they gave up on A-Hen and brought up guys like Jason Morgan and Wyatt Smith...

[Svyatoslav]

Hope to see Henry in the NHL next year.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Henry was injured for part of the season after taking a cheap hit to the knee last year. I really like the guy though. Good cheap signing in my opinion. Nichol is gonna have to step up with the exodus that is going on.

[cod]

Scott Nichol is one of my favorite players good to see him back.

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by cowboy

Nashville is still better then the majority of the teams in the west, even with whose left.

No they aren't, but you can keep thinking that...

Nashville is still competitive nonetheless, but I see them finishing around 10th or 11th in the West which isn't better than most teams.

When you look around the West, several teams top Nashville now (IMO): Detroit, Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles, Dallas, St. Louis, Colorado, Calgary, Vancouver, Minnesota.

[Fletch]

I used to appreciate Alex Henry much more a couple years ago. Only 4 fights last season (AHL-64gms). Hopefully he can contribute a bit more this year.

[DaveBrown69]

Maybe the Alex Henry I liked will show up to play this year, as long as he's not hurt.