Predators, C Peverley agree to deal

Jul 25, 2008 - 11:25 PM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Nashville Predators retained restricted free agent Rich Peverley on Friday, agreeing to terms with the center on a two-year contract.

The first year of the deal will pay Peverley $475,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor league level. The 26-year-old will make $500,000 in 2009-10.

Signed on January 17, 2007, Peverley made his NHL debut that season, recording one assist in 13 games. Last campaign, the 6-foot, 185-pounder registered five goals and 10 points in 33 contests with Nashville while notching 14 tallies and 40 assists in 45 games with Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

The Predators on Friday also re-signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a one-year contract extension, which will pay him $725,000 in 2009-10.

An eighth-round pick in 2004, Rinne appeared in one game with Nashville last season, turning aside all eight shots he faced in 29 minutes of relief in a 3-1 loss to Chicago on April 4. The 25-year-old Finn also played in 65 contests for Milwaukee in 2007-08, posting a league-best 36 wins with five shutouts and a 2.47 goals-against average.

The 6-5, 207-pound Rinne got his first taste of NHL action in 2005-06, going 1-1-0 with a 3.81 GAA in two games.