Nashville Predators sign Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy to one-year deals
The Nashville Predators have come to agreements on one-year deals with centers Mike Ribeiro and Derek Roy, the club announced on Tuesday.
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The Predators will be without Mike Fisher for the start of the regular season after rupturing his Achilles in an offseason workout, so the one-year gambles on the two veterans is one that first-year head coach Peter Laviolette and general manager David Poile will see immediate dividends.
Ribeiro, 34, was bought out by the Arizona Coyotes earlier this offseason for “behavioral issues” and had three years and #22.5 million left on his deal, but Ribeiro’s new deal will see him take a steep discount with his contract from Nashville worth $1.05 million.
“I’m really glad I have a chance to come here and to prove to everyone that I can still play, and that I am a good person and that I’m committed to my family but to the team too and to do well,” Ribeiro said. “And I’m glad that I have a chance to do that.”
Ribeiro had 16 goals and 31 assists last season.
Roy, 31, will make $1 million in his deal and is coming off a season that saw his score nine goals and record 28 assists in 75 games for the St. Louis Blues last year.
“It’s been a tough few years bouncing around, and hopefully this is going to be good for me and I know that,” said Roy, who has been with Dallas, Vancouver and St. Louis over the past two seasons.
The Predators signed Olli Jokinen earlier this offseason and traded for James Neal on draft night as the Predators makeover the roster after missing the playoffs the last two seasons under former head coach Barry Trotz.