The Nashville Predators have made their third significant signing of the free agency period, agreeing to terms with former Washington forward Matt Hendricks on a four-year, $7.4 million deal.
The deal carries an average annual cap hit of $1.85 million.
Hendricks, 31, blossomed from a fringe NHLer to a lineup regular in the nation’s capital.
He put up a career-high 25 points in his first season with Washington (2010-11) and carved himself a unique role as a tough guy, game fighter, good faceoff man, respected teammate and quality shootout participant.
Hendricks was in the final season of a two-year, $1.65 million deal signed with the Caps in 2011.
There was believed to be a number of teams interested in his services -- the Rangers inquired, as did the Vancouver Canucks -- but it’s unlikely any were willing to commit the type of term and money Nashville did.