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Predators at it again: sign Derek Roy to a 1-year, $1 million contract

Remember how much you all were freaking out on July 1st when David Poile did nothing? Bet you feel silly now. Moments after signing Mike Ribeiro, the Predators have announced they have also signed Derek Roy.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-partner=”tweetdeck”><p><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Preds?src=hash”>#Preds</a> also announce signing of Derek Roy to 1-year deal worth $1M.</p>&mdash; Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) <a href=”https://twitter.com/SWhyno/statuses/489080410396045314″>July 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

These aren’t huge, ground breaking signings by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, they are very Poile-esque in the fact that he’s spending pennies on players that no one else seems to want. The difference this year, especially from last year, is that these signings actively make the team better.

Are they a playoff team? Can’t really say at this point, mostly because the Central division is so good. But a depth of Ribeiro/Jokinen/Roy/Gaustad down the middle is much better than what the team had at the start of the summer. If Mike Fisher comes back this season, there are actual options. More to come…

From the Predators press release:

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed free-agent forward Derek Roy to a one-year, $1 million contract.

“Derek brings us added depth, playmaking ability and experience at center, helping complement our young, developing wingers,” Poile said. “He has played in a number of roles, averaging about 19 minutes of ice time throughout his career, and is effective on the power play. He provides our coaching staff with some added skill and maturity down the middle when putting together our lineup for the coming season.”

Roy, 31 (5/4/83), has recorded 492 points (177g-315a) in 666 career NHL regular-season games with Buffalo, Dallas, Vancouver and St. Louis since 2003-04. The Ottawa native is a four-time 60-point, 20-goal scorer including a 32-goal, 81-point campaign in 2007-08 and a 28-goal, 70-point season in 2008-09, both with the Buffalo Sabres. In 2013-14, the 5-9, 184-pound center posted 37 points (9g-28a) in 75 games with the Blues.

An alternate captain for three seasons playing alongside current Predator Paul Gaustad in Buffalo from 2007-09, Roy captained the Kitchener Rangers to Memorial Cup and OHL titles in 2003, earning both Stafford Smythe Trophy and Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as MVP of both tournaments. Buffalo’s second selection, 32nd overall (second round), in the 2001 Entry Draft is a three-time silver medalist for Canada, representing his country at the 2003 World Junior Championship, and both the 2008 and 2009 World Championship.