Nashville Predators defenseman Hal Gill agrees to 2-year, $4 million deal -NHL offseason Update
Nashville Predators also made their entry into the offseason reorganisation process by re-signing veteran defenseman, Hal Gill, to a two-year, $4 million contract on Thursday, June 28, 2012.
Gill’s previous contract, a one-year, $2.25 million deal, was set to expire on Sunday, July 1st, with the free agency deadline making him an unrestricted free agent. In order to keep the player on the squad, Nashville denied him from testing his
value in the market with the new deal.
“This is a really good fit for us. We knew that when we got him,” Predators General Manager, David Poile, said. “He played a really good role for us on ice and defensively and killing penalties and playing with our younger players. I see this role continuing
in the next two years.”
Gill also announced the news about his refreshed contract with the Nashville Predators through social media website, Twitter, by saying:
“Excited to be a Pred for next 2 seasons! #BecauseItsTheCup,”
Picked up as the 207th overall player back in the 1993 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft by Boston Bruins, Hal Gill has 14 years of playing experience in the major league with various teams. Besides the Bruins, Gill has Toronto Maple Leafs,
Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators under his belt.
He was acquired by Nashville Predators from the Montreal Canadiens during the 2011-2012 NHL regular season after having played 53 games and registering eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) with the latter. Gill appeared in 23 games with Nashville and potted
five assists along with five appearances in the playoffs.
The most impressive part of Gill’s performance this year that led Nashville to re-sign him was his determination to perform. Playing with a fractured leg during the playoffs was the feat that he accomplished and definitely proved his worth to the team and
his colleagues.
In a total of 1,070 games played throughout his career, Hal Gill has a collective score of 184 points (36 goals, 148 assists) and 948 minutes in penalty time.
Seeing Hal Gill back with Nashville Predators is definitely a good sign for the team as they have already lost top-level defenseman, Ryan Suter, who will be testing the free agency this time around.
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