Jordin Tootoo signs two-year, $2.5 million contract extension with the Nashville Predators

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 5, 2010 1:40 PM EST Comment 13 comments

In the latest move to lock players into contracts beyond this season, the Nashville Predators have signed Jordin Tootoo to a two-year contract. John Glennon's report at the Tennessean has it at $2.5 million total, a reasonable figure for an agitator who is showing increased discipline over the years, and has the potential to contribute offensively as well.

He's certainly a fan favorite, and was voted the team's All-Time Greatest Fighter in a poll on this site last August.

Jordin Tootoo

#22 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators

Height: 5-9

Weight: 200

Born: Feb 02, 1983

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2009 - Jordin Tootoo	26	2	8	10	2	18	0	0	1	0	54	3.7

The trick going forward for Tootoo will be health. Last season he set a career high with 72 games played, and he's missed more than half of this season due to a variety of injury concerns.

Follow after the jump for the text of the team's press release...

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Jordin Tootoo to a two-year, $2.5 million contract. The deal will pay him $1.15 million in 2010-11 and $1.35 million in 2011-12.

"We look forward to watching Jordin's continued development over the next two seasons," Poile said. "Since we drafted Jordin in 2001, we have not only seen him develop into a more complete player on the ice, but also an impactful member of the community on a year-round basis."

Tootoo, 27 (2/2/83), has appeared in 330 career games, all with Nashville, registering 71 points (28g-43a) and 550 penalty minutes - a franchise record. In 2009-10, the Rankin Inlet, Nunavut native has 10 points (2g-8a) in 26 games, the highest point-per-game average (.38) of his six-season NHL career. The 5-9, 198-pound right wing put together a career-high four-game point/assist streak from Nov. 23-28 - tied for the longest assist streak by a Predator this season - and his eight helpers are just four off his career high attained a season ago.

Nashville's sixth choice, 98th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft made his NHL debut on Oct. 9, 2003 vs. Anaheim, becoming the first player of Inuit decent to play in the National Hockey League.

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This is win

I like this. At worst, he’s a fourth line grinder and not too expensive. At best, he unleashes hell in all three zones with shots, hits, and punches.

I gotta say, I kinda miss him dropping them every once in a while…he is loads of fun to watch fight.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 5, 2010 1:58 PM EST reply actions

Nice, my #22 jersey stays relevant!

by Blarg-o on Feb 5, 2010 2:00 PM EST reply actions

I love it...

Can hardly imagine the Preds without him. He was looking great early on in the season before that dang slapshot got him. He’ll get back in the groove.

by hockeydekefreak on Feb 5, 2010 2:27 PM EST reply actions

What are the"variety of injury concerns"?

Didn’t know he was hurt anywhere besides his foot.

by hockeydekefreak on Feb 5, 2010 2:30 PM EST reply actions

He had leg issues at the beginning of the season which caused him to miss a lot of early games.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 5, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

The first Pred a non-hockey fan knows

is 22. He’s vital.

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Feb 5, 2010 3:03 PM EST reply actions

well i guess i get roasted here,but he aint worth that type money. i know hes a favorite and im not sayin we cant use him,BUT for a shoestring budget team… way too much. goc, for instance is far more valuable and paid less per year for less time. smithson the same. ward is FAAAAAR more valuable but we paid toots nearly as much. good on PR, will be popular, bad on ice move for that money.

by predswilrule on Feb 5, 2010 3:45 PM EST reply actions

you won't get roasted by me

Goc and Smithers and Wardo are much more valuable than Toots. i agree, it’s too much $$ for him.

by HartnellsMop on Feb 5, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

But..

You have to look at extending Tootoo more in business terms. What he brings to the team is invaluable. He is such a huge part of what the Nashville predators are. He strengthens the Nashville Predators brand. For our non traditional small market, he is helping expand the excitement of hockey in Nashville. People love to come see him play. This was a fantastic signing. Good for the city, good for the team, good for the future of hockey in Nashville, good for the Nashville Predators brand.

by Smashvillian on Feb 5, 2010 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely

Couldn’t agree with you more. Every kid in a 22 jersey or carrying a homemade Tootoo sign has a better than even chance of growing up to be a hockey fan right here in Middle Tennessee.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Feb 5, 2010 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

I'm happy with this signing

It’s really not much of a pay increase and he has a lot of intangible (or non-statistical) qualities, such as getting under the opposition’s skin and getting the crowd into the game. Also, I feel like Poile is more likely to make a bold move if he can tie up these loose ends.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Feb 5, 2010 4:31 PM EST reply actions

im not against the signing, just the money. if he were compensated at goc money we have nearly another mil for some signing next season( horny or peks. gotta be careful there.haha) or even to pay the end of a higher salary rental we need this year.

by predswilrule on Feb 5, 2010 5:55 PM EST reply actions