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Hal Gill sticks in Nashville: two years, $4 million

Colorado Avalanche v Nashville Predators

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 08: David Jones #54 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Hal Gill #75 of the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on March 8, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Frederick Breedon

The Nashville Predators have agreed to terms with UFA defenseman Hal Gill for two years, $4 million.

Gill, 37, came to Nashville at February’s deadline for a steep price -- Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney and a 2012 second round pick -- and the Preds retained him after injuries derailed most of his time in the Music City.

(Translation: If you’ve paid for a rental, might as well pay more to actually see what you’ve rented.)

The contract represents a slight pay cut for Gill -- down from $2.25 million annually -- but he could find himself in a good situation should Ryan Suter fly the coop via free agency.

The Preds currently have four defensemen under contract (Gill, Ryan Ellis, Kevin Klein and Roman Josi) with Gill being the most veteran of the lot. There’s an opportunity for him to get quality playing time and fill a mentorship role, something he had in Montreal with P.K. Subban.

It’ll be interesting to see what effect this deal has on the market come July 1. Gill wasn’t going to be the most sought-after blueliner, but he’s the latest in a run of veteran UFA defensemen signings, joining the likes of Dennis Wideman, Shane O’Brien, Brad Stuart and Barret Jackman.