Nashville Predators sign Parent
The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed defenseman Ryan Parent to a two-year contract worth $1.85 million. Parent is set to $850,000 his first season, and $1 million his second. Parent’s rights were acquired by the Predators in a deal that saw them send the rights to Dan Hamhuis to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Ryan Parent
Parent began his professional career with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. Here he made a name for himself as a strong, reliable stay-at-home defenceman. His quality play over the next two years earned him his first spot on the Canadian World Juniors squad.
Parent was taken 18th overall by the Predators in the 2005 National Hockey League entry draft. The Preds elected to send him down to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. Here Parent continued to hone his skills as a reliable blue liner, earning him another spot on the Canadian World Junior team.
Parent was traded to the Flyers at the end of the year, and spent the following season bouncing between the big club, and their AHL affiliate the Philadelphia Phantoms. Parent spent the following season doing the same thing, until last year when earned a permanent spot with the club. In 2009-10 he recorded one goal and two assists in 48 games, as well as playing in 17 of the Flyers playoff match-ups.
As a restricted free agent, Parent’s rights were traded back to Nashville in exchange for the exclusive rights to talk with upcoming free agent Hamhuis.
Predators’ Perspective
Parent represents another inexpensive piece for the Predators' backend. As a team that struggles a great deal to spend to the cap, signing Parent to such a cheap, short term contract does a lot to help the organization. Also, with the loss of Denis Grebeshkov, Parent fills a hole at the Predators backend.
At only 23 and having still not played a full season in the NHL, Parent comes back to Nashville with plenty of potential. With the Flyers his role was reduced because of the quality and size of the Philadelphia blue line. However, the Predators have a much thinner defensive core, and Parent will be counted on to play more of an integral role.
In addition he will be given the opportunity to grow with fellow youngsters such as Cody Franson and Kevin Klein, who have already adopted major roles with the club. Expect to see Parent on the third unit to start the year, as well as earning some time on the penalty kill.
As a rugged, defence-oriented blueliner, Parent should fit well into the conservative game plan created by coach Barry Trotz.
Parent’s continued development means a great deal to the Predators who have managed to put together one of the leagues most promising young defensive cores.
Parent’s perspective
For Parent the signing means good things for his career development. Although he is not getting paid a ton, and will have to negotiate another contract in just two years, Nashville provides him with the best setting moving forward.
Originally drafted by the Predators, his return to Nashville will play a major role in the progression of the young franchise. Despite their lack of skill on paper the Predators manage to make the playoffs nearly every season, in the difficult Western Conference. Parent will benefit from their strict defensive structure, as he attempts to earn a permanent spot in the NHL.
The Ontario native’s ice time should jump dramatically as he is likely to garner more responsibility with the Predators, and can expect to be in the line up for all 82 games.
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