Nashville Predators sign Jamie Lundmark to one-year contract

From the Preds:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed center Jamie Lundmark (JAY-mee LUHND-mahrk) to a one-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.

Lundmark, 29 (1/16/81), split the 2009-10 season between the Calgary and Toronto organizations, posting nine points (5g-4a) in 21 games with the Flames and 21 points (9g-12a) in 32 games with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford before being claiming on waivers by the Leafs on Feb. 16. He posted three points (1g-2a) in 15 outings with Toronto. In 295 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Phoenix, Calgary, Los Angeles and Toronto since 2002, the Edmonton, Alta., native has 99 points (40g-59a). The 6-0, 197-pounder has 227 points (88g-139a) in 306 American Hockey League games as well.

Selected ninth overall by the New York Rangers in the 1999 Entry Draft, Lundmark earned bronze medals with Canada at both the 2000 and 2001 World Junior Championships, pacing the Canadian squad in points in his second appearance at the tournament (4g-3a, 7gp). His junior career with Moose Jaw and Seattle (WHL) from 1998-2001 saw him amass 216 points (96g-120a) in 159 contests, being named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and WHL East Second All-Star Team in 1999, and to the WHL West First All-Star Team in 2001.

This was tipped earlier today via the Preds' Twitter account as a depth signing, and I'd have to agree. With a depth chart of Matthew Lombardi, David Legwand, Colin Wilson, Marcel Goc and Cal O'Reilly down the middle, I can't see Lundmark making an impact at the NHL level this season. If injury strikes, however, he could make for a suitable short-term callup.

As Milwaukee play-by-play man Aaron Sims notes, however, this is a "major move" for the Admirals. It's important to have a strong AHL affiliate so that prospects on their way to Nashville are playing with the highest-caliber talent possible, so the real impact here might be on up-and-coming forwards like Blake Geoffrion.