The Nashville Predators announced today that they have signed restricted free agent winger Sergei Kostitsyn to a one year deal worth $550,000.
From the team:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed restricted free agent Sergei Kostitsyn (SAIR-gay kaws-TIHT-sihn) to a one-year contract worth $550,000. Kostitsyn was acquired from Montreal in exchange for forward Dustin Boyd and goaltender Dan Ellis last Tuesday, June 29.
Kostitsyn, 23 (3/20/87), posted 18 points (7g-11a) in 47 contests during his third season at the NHL level with Montreal in 2009-10. In 155 career NHL contests over the past three seasons, the 6-0, 210-pound left wing has amassed 68 points (24g-44a), in addition to 49 points (15g-34a) in 55 American Hockey League games. Kostitsyn has also suited up for the Habs in each of their last three playoff appearances, putting up eight points (3g-5a) in 18 games.
A native of Novopolotsk, Belarus, Kostitsyn represented his country at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, leading the Belarusians in points with five (2g-3a) in four games. He played a pair of seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights after being Montreal’s sixth selection, 200th overall (seventh round), in the 2005 Entry Draft, amassing (66g-143a) in 122 games. He led the league in assists in 2006-07, en route to being named a Third-Team OHL All-Star.
To me, this is a great signing by David Poile. If you recall that Kostitsyn was acquired essentially for free, and note that he will be paid less than Wade Belak, its a no-risk move. If he plays to his talent and works hard for the team and Coach Trotz, then Nashville will have made the quite the coup.