Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Predators Release Opening Day Roster, Officially Sign Francis Bouillon

In two releases back to back, the Nashville Predators officially released their opening day roster as well as announcing that Francis Bouillon had officially been signed to a one year deal.

Cal O'Reilly officially pased through waivers and was assigned to Milwaukee as was Cody Franson. Joel Ward and Colin Wilson, both suffering from groin injuries, will start the year on Injured Reserve.

From the Predators Press Release...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SET 2009-10 OPENING NIGHT ROSTER
-Two assignments, two injury designations put roster at 21 players-

Nashville, Tenn. (September 30, 2009) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today several transactions to set the club’s roster for Game One of the 2009-10 season, which comes Saturday, Oct. 3 at Dallas (7 p.m., FOX Sports Tennessee (HD) and 104.5 The Zone). Forward Cal O’Reilly and defenseman Cody Franson were assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), while forwards Joel Ward and Colin Wilson were placed on injured reserve.

The four moves puts Nashville’s active roster at 21 players entering the regular season – 13 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders.

Players by position currently on the active roster are as follows:

FORWARDS (13): Jason Arnott, Wade Belak, J.P. Dumont, Martin Erat, Marcel Goc, Ben Guite, Patric Hornqvist, Ryan Jones, David Legwand, Mike Santorelli, Jerred Smithson, Steve Sullivan, Jordin Tootoo.

DEFENSEMEN (6): Francis Bouillon, Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Klein, Teemu Laakso, Ryan Suter, Shea Weber.

GOALTENDER (2): Dan Ellis, Pekka Rinne.

Coming off a winning preseason campaign, the Predators kick off the home portion of the 2009-10 campaign on Oct. 8 when they host the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. at the Sommet Center. Tickets to this game, and all other regular season contests are now on sale and can be purchased by logging onto nashvillepredators.com. Tickets are also available by calling (615) 770-PUCK and at all Ticketmaster locations.

In a separate release from the Predators the official Signing of Bouillon was reported. Here is the release...

PREDATORS SIGN DEFENSEMAN FRANCIS BOUILLON TO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (September 30, 2009) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Francis Bouillon (FRAN-sihs BOO-liawn) to a one-year, $750,000 contract. Bouillon attended Predators Training Camp on a Professional Tryout Agreement, scoring a goal in one preseason game.

Bouillon, 33 (10/17/75), posted a career-high five goals, nine points and 53 penalty minutes in 54 games with Montreal in 2008-09. The 5-8, 196-pound blueliner has played 485 NHL games since 1999-2000, amassing 102 points (21g-81a) and 371 penalty minutes. Bouillon’s only NHL experience outside of a Canadiens sweater came in 2002-03, when he dressed for four games with the Predators. He was claimed on waivers by Nashville, from Montreal, on Oct. 2, 2002, then reclaimed by the Habs on Oct. 25, 2002.

A native of New York, N.Y., Bouillon is also a veteran of 25 NHL Playoff contests, and has seen action in four of the last five postseasons.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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