*Photo from the Hockey Writers*
Good team defense is important, and the Nashville Predators are trying to address it. The Predators and D Jeremy Lauzon have agreed to a 4 year, $8 million extension, with a $2 million AAV, according to an announcement by the Predators.
Lauzon was a pending RFA in July, so he's now 100 percent back in the fold in Nashville, for the next 4 seasons. Lauzon is a defenseman who can play both sides, but is a natural left shot defenseman and is known for his physical play and penalty kill presence rather than scoring goals, so he's a NHL regular 3rd pairing defenseman.
Asked about staying in Nashville, Lauzon said that "As a defenseman who likes to play with physicality, I love the identity our team brings each game and knew this was a group I would fit in with right away. My teammates and the entire organization made me feel welcome from the day I arrived, and I'm looking forward to some stability and a chance to help our team that's on the rise and is heading in the right direction."
Last season, split between the Predators and the Seattle Kraken, Lauzon ended the year with just two goals and 5 assists, with a -6 plus/minus rating while averaging 17:40 of ice time per game, playing in 66 games last season. He went pointless in 3 playoff games.
In Lauzon's career, spanning two full NHL seasons and 4 total, he has 5 goals and 13 assists, with a +6 plus/minus rating while averaging 17:26 TOI per game across 142 games. In 13 career playoff games, he has zero points and a -9 plus/minus rating.
Predators GM David Poile said that "When we acquired Jeremy back in March, we felt he was a player with a bright future who would help solidify our blueline moving forward, so we are excited to have him remain with the Predators. Jeremy jumped right into our lineup with his physical style of play and fits the identity that we like to bring each night. At just 25 years old, he's helped us further reach our goal of getting younger and he is thrilled about the opportunity to continue to improve and develop with our organization and in the city of Nashville."
After joining the Predators, Lauzon helped them clinch the second wild card spot in the western conference playoff picture, before being eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs. With Lauzon under contract, Nashville's focus now shifts to pending UFA Filip Forsberg.
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