Barret Jackman joins the Predators on 2-year deal
The Nashville Predators signed former St. Louis Blues defenseman Barret Jackman on Wednesday to a two-year deal with $2 million annually.
Jackman had narrowed his choices down to the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville, but opted for the Preds. He was coming off a three-year, $9.5 million contract with the Blues, who opted not to bring him back. He had been the longest-tenured athlete in St. Louis at the time.
It’s not a bad signing or landing spot for Jackman. He’s going to be a second or third pairing guy, and could be a defensive foundation for a player like Seth Jones to get his offense on. He was a strong possession player for the Blues, with a plus-1.2-percent Fenwick-Relative to his teammates last season. And he'll still drop the gloves, with five fights last season.
For what it’s worth, Jackman felt he had plenty left. As he told STLToday.com:
“I have lots left in me,” he said in April. “I don’t know, four or five years. I take care of myself away from the rink. The body’s the best it’s felt in years. This is actually the best I’ve felt in years health-wise. I don’t see myself as a 40-year-old playing the game, but I’m still only 34 and feel like I’ve got lots left. I’ll continue playing.”
As Dan Buffa of St. Louis Sports Minute wrote: “While he wasn’t the greatest defenseman to ever don skates, he was a durable strong and fearless leader for this team during his years in blue.”
On The Forecheck is down with this:
This is a good signing. The Predators needed a strong, steady blue liner to play on the lower end of the roster, as well as be a reliable presence for Seth Jones. Jackman provides exactly that.
In a limited role, this should be OK. Wonder why the Blackhawks couldn’t secure him?
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