Predators Sign Ellis, Willis and Yonkman

[VodkaFish]

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed free-agent forward Shane Willis (WIH-lis) and free-agent goaltender Dan Ellis (EH-lihs) to one-year contracts. The club has also re-signed defenseman Nolan Yonkman (YAWNK-man) to a one-year contract.

Willis, 30 (6/13/77), posted 43 points (20g-23a) in 43 games with the American Hockey League’s Albany River Rats in 2006-07. The 6-1, 195-pound Edmonton, Alta. native registered 74 points (31g-43a) in 174 career NHL games with Carolina and Tampa Bay from 1998-2004. Willis was originally Tampa Bay’s third selection, 56th overall (second round), in the 1995 Entry Draft but re-entered the draft and was taken with Carolina’s fourth choice, 88th overall (fourth round), in 1997.

Willis will be paid $475,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor-league level.

Ellis, 27 (6/19/80), went 30-21-1 with a 2.78 goals-against average in 55 games with the AHL’s Iowa Stars in 2006-07. The 6-0, 186-pound Orangeville, Ont. native appeared in one game with Dallas in 2003-04. Ellis was the Stars’ second selection, 60th overall (second round), in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Ellis will be paid $500,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor-league level.

Yonkman, 26 (4/1/81), registered 13 points (3g-10a) and 113 penalty minutes with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2006-07. The 6-6, 236-pound blueliner notched seven assists and 86 penalty minutes in 38 games for the Capitals in 2005-06. Yonkman has played 50 career NHL games, posting eight points (1g-7a) and 90 penalty minutes.

Yonkman will be paid $450,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor-league level.

[Isles4life]

Hmm...still not really looking good for Nashville...I can see all these guys get some playing time on a losing team.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Ellis will be one of the goalies in Milwaukee unless he vastly improves. Nolan will spend most of his time in Milwaukee as well with the talent Nashville has at the blueline. Willis will probably have the best chance at moving up.

[cowboy]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Hmm...still not really looking good for Nashville...I can see all these guys get some playing time on a losing team.

[DaveBrown69]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Hmm...still not really looking good for Nashville...I can see all these guys get some playing time on a losing team.

That may be right.