Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed free-agent defenseman Anton Volchenkov to a one-year, $1 million contract.

“Anton provides a strong veteran presence that will complement our young, talented defensive corps nicely,” Poile said. “He is a physical, left-handed shooting defenseman who can match up with top-line forwards and effectively kill penalties.”

Volchenkov, 32 (2/25/82), has suited up for 650 games for New Jersey and Ottawa (where he played with both Matt Cullen and Mike Fisher) since the 2002-03 campaign, posting 126 points (19g-107a) and 424 penalty minutes. Since 2005-06, the 6-1, 225-pound blueliner has the second-most blocked shots among all skaters (1,395) and the 10th-most hits among defensemen (1,313).