Thursday's news: Francis Bouillon signs with Nashville

The roster situation for the Nashville Predators is starting to come into focus, as fresh on the heels of the Blake Geoffrion signing we have word that Francis Bouillon is back in the fold as well.

Follow after the jump for that, and a whole lot more!

Predators News

Predators defense will likely have a different look next season - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond points us to a French Canadian news report that Francis Bouillon has signed a two-year contract with the Preds, and what that means for the Predators defense with Dan Hamhuis and Denis Grebeshkov likely leaving town.

Preds re-sign Bouillon, pave way for departing Hamhuis?… | Section 303
Jeremy sees a connection between Bouillon re-signing and Hamhuis leaving, but I disagree. Hamhuis' chances of staying in Nashville as a free agent have always been terribly slim, and Bouillon's salary isn't going to significantly alter the amount of money David Poile could afford to offer Hammer. That said, bringing back "The Cube" is dynamite.

Francis Bouillon

#51 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 5-8

Weight: 198

Born: Oct 17, 1975

Around the NHL

NHL hires comedian Jay 'Hockey Sucks' Mohr to host Awards - Puck Daddy
Wow, just when you thought the NHL couldn't do worse than Chaka Khan...

Meet the newest Filppula - Winging It In Motown
The Red Wings are bringing Valteri Filppula's older brother over to North America with a two-way contract.

Bertuzzi re-signs with Red Wings - Winging It In Motown
...and they also extended Big Bert for two more seasons at just under $2 million each.

Tallon Makes Weiss Available - Should Tambellini Be Interested? - The Copper & Blue
Yesterday we noted that new Florida GM Dale Tallon doesn't plan on trading Tomas Vokoun, but there is talk that he's dangling Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss. Weiss, in particular, would be a great addition to just about any team in the league and carries only a $3.1 million cap hit for three more seasons.

More Or Less The Same - Anaheim Calling
Should the Ducks sign Teemu Selanne to a one-year deal and take one last kick at the can, or get to work on the inevitable rebuild?

Crosby's Golden Puck On Display At Hall Of Fame - The Grinder
OK, this is pretty weird - the puck which scored the gold medal-winning goal in the Olympics is on display, and you can touch it...

Five Hole Fanatics: Give Sheppard a Chance!
Kent advises Minnesota fans to consider the big picture with young James Sheppard, who was signed to a new contract recently.

Greatest Hockey Legends.com: Hall of Fame Worthy? Theo Fleury
I'd say yes, but I'm sure many will object.

Down Goes Brown: MLSE's Real Sports Bar & Grill: The leaked menu
More juicy goodness from DGB.

NHL free agency: Overall pool may be weak, but goaltenders will be available - ESPN
Dan Ellis is just one of many goalie looking ahead to July 1, writes Pierre LeBrun.

The American Hockey League | 30-team lineup set for 2010-11
Our Milwaukee Admirals will compete in an 8-team Western Division next season, as every NHL team will have a primary affiliate in the AHL this fall.

When Irresponsible Media Gives Credence to Inane Rumors - SB Nation New York
Steve Lepore chronicles a sad tale - Eklund spews an absurd "rumor", only to have the mainstream media pick up and amplify it. Expect more of this nonsense as the NHL Entry Draft approaches next week, followed by the opening of free agency on July 1.

Kovalchuk interested in Leafs; Burke says nyet - The Globe and Mail
Toronto was one of the few markets likely to have budget space available for the big sniper, so his options as a free agent are dwindling.

You might ask why this is getting posted so early in the morning. I've finally gotten back into rec league hockey over the last couple weeks, and I'm so sore from last night's game I just can't sleep...