Predators re-sign C Smithson

Jun 20, 2007 - 5:18 AM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The price tags on defenseman Kimmo Timonen and left wing Scott Hartnell were too high for the Nashville Predators. The one on center Jerred Smithson was more in their ballpark.

One day after parting ways with potential unrestricted free agents Timonen and Hartnell, the Predators on Tuesday signed Smithson to a two-year, $1 million contract.

Realizing it would not be able to afford Timonen and Hartnell, Nashville traded their rights to Philadelphia on Monday. In return, the Predators got back their first-round pick - the 23rd overall selection - in this weekend's draft from the Flyers, who obtained it in the February 15 deal involving Peter Forsberg.

Smithson, who made $450,000 this past season, was easier for Nashville to fit in its budget. The 28-year-old also could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

In 2006-07, Smithson recorded five goals and seven assists in 64 games. He led all forwards on the team in shorthanded ice time per game (3 minutes, 23 seconds) and ranked second with a success rate of 56.4 percent on faceoffs.

A native of British Columbia, Smithson has registered 10 tallies and 19 assists in 160 career games with the Los Angeles Kings and Predators.