Predators Sign Goaltender Tomas Vokoun to Contract Extension

[caps05]

Nashville, Tenn. - Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed goaltender Tomas Vokoun (TAW-mas voh-KOON) to a four-year contract extension that will pay him $5.3 million in 2007-08, $5.5 million in 2008-09, $5.7 million in 2009-10 and $6.3 million in 2010-11.

Vokoun, 30 (7/2/76), ranks third among NHL goaltenders in games played (203) and wins (95) over the past three NHL seasons. The Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic native finished fourth in balloting for the 2005-06 Vezina Trophy (awarded to the league's top goaltender) after tying for fifth in the league with a .919 save percentage and ranking sixth with a career-high 36 wins. He received complete clearance to return to action this summer following treatment for a blood condition that sidelined him through the final month of the 2005-06 regular season and the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The only remaining Predator from the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft, Vokoun has posted a mark of 134-147-42 (91-69-26 since taking over as Nashville's No. 1 goaltender in December of 2002) with a 2.57 goals-against average in 340 career NHL games. He played in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game and has also represented the CzechRepublic in a number of international competitions, such as the 2006 Winter Olympics, the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and three World Championship tournaments. He helped lead the Czechs to a gold medal at the 2005 Worlds, winning the Directorate's Best Goaltender Award and earning a spot on the tournament All-Star team.

[Isles4life]

Hopefully he bounces back from that surprising health scare last season. Vokoun is definitely one of the top goaltenders in the league, and for the most part flies under the radar.

[Cat Smasher]

this guy is stellar, should battle kipper for the vezina.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

I think I heard someone on TSN say he is third highest paid goalie in the league now behind Brodeur and Luongo. Doesn't quite seem right. That's a lot of money for a guy that hasn't proven much. No playoff success and only 2 winning seasons under his belt. Vokoun is a good goalie, but I don't think he's a 5.8 million dollar a year goalie.