Predators sign Lombardi - 07-02-10

The Predators finally jumped into the free agent pool by signing former Coyotes center Matthew Lombardi to a three-year contract worth a total of $10.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $3.5 million.

In 78 games last season, Lombardi scored 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists) and was a plus-8.

EN Says: Nice signing. Lombardi provides some instant offense for a team which was a little lean up front. In addition to some point production, he provides some skill defensively and he can take faceoffs.

Lombardi is a pretty complete player and getting him at $3.5 million is pretty affordable.

(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)