Predators sign center Jarred Smithson to extension

[August 01, 2008]  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Nashville Predators have signed center Jarred Smithson to a two-year, $1.4 million contract extension through 2011.

The deal announced Thursday will pay the 29-year-old forward $725,000 in 2009-10 and $750,000 in 2010-11.

Smithson, a free agent signed by Nashville in 2004, has 45 points in 241 games since making his NHL debut with Los Angeles in 2002.

The team also announced that defenseman Ville Koistinen was awarded a one-year, $700,000 deal in arbitration. He was a restricted free agent this summer and filed for arbitration before the July 5 deadline.

The 26-year-old had 17 points in 48 games in his first NHL season with Nashville last year.

[Associated Press]

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