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Predators Jump on Dumont after Sabres Back Down

As soon as word came that the Buffalo Sabres will not pay the required sum to sign J.P. Dumont, the Nashville Predators jumped on the bargain, and as it seems Dumont is going down south. The players signed for a two-year contract with the Predators on Tuesday, an agreement under which he will receive $2 million during the upcoming season, and another $2.5 million for the following one.

"This was a guy who was not on our radar when the off-season first came about," Predators general manager David Poile said. "But because he was made a free agent he became very attractive to us. The Buffalo Sabres thought they lost a really good player and a really good person." The 28-year-old was awarded a $2.9 million deal in arbitration, an issue that caused the Sabres to exercise their walk away rights.

The player scored 121 goals and marked 135 assists during his 434 NHL games, and was paid $1.59 million last season. "I`m thinking and hoping that if he has a healthy season, he is going to hit his career highs here in Nashville," Poile said.