After a standout playoff run, leading the Predators with 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points in 12 games, Joel Ward tested free agency and found a large payday.
Ward signed a 4-year deal with the Washington Capitals worth $12 million. That’s a huge pay raise for the forward who scored 10 goals and added another 19 assists in 80 regular season games.
Undrafted, Ward played hockey at the University of P.E.I. and played 11 games for Minnesota before getting his shot with the Predators.
In 2008, Ward signed a one-year deal with the Nashville Predators. It was considered a depth move by the Predators organization but Ward made the team out of training camp. After an impressive first year (17 goals and 18 assists), Ward was awarded a two-year contract worth $3 million.
Ward had good chemistry playing with David Legwand and Martin Erat for Nashville. Restricted free agent Matt Halischuk plays the same sort of gritty game and could be a good replacement for Ward. Of course, there ...
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