Nashville Predators sign Teemu Laakso to new contract

The Nashville Predators have signed pending free agent defenseman Teemu Laakso to a new one-year contract.

From the Preds:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Teemu Laakso (TEE-moo LAK-soh) to a one-year, two-way contract worth $675,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.

Laakso, 24 (8/27/87), spent the majority of the 2010-11 campaign with the Milwaukee Admirals, ranking second on the club in plus/minus rating (+15) and second among Milwaukee defensemen in goals (8) and power-play goals (tie, 4). The Tuusula, Finland native was recalled by Nashville on three occasions last season, dressing for one game - a 1-0 victory at Dallas on Oct. 23 - while also being available during the Predators 2011 Western Conference Semifinals series vs. Vancouver.     

Teemu only got a glimpse of NHL action this season, but he's familiar with the system, and can provide spot duty as a stay-at-home type if needed in Nashville. For the Admirals, he's been a solid performer and will surely provide value there.