Predators complete deals with Legwand, Lundbohm

The Nashville Predators announced Wednesday that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free-agent forwards David Legwand and Bryan Lundbohm. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Legwand, 21, posted 11 goals and 19 assists (30pts) in 63 games for Nashville last season. The Predators first-ever draft selection and the second overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft finished the season with a +1 rating, the second-highest mark among Nashville forwards. He also posted posted a career-high average ice time of 16:24. The Detroit, Mich. native represented the Predators at the 2002 TOPPS/NHL YoungStars Game on Feb. 1, along with Scott Hartnell.

In 216 career NHL games over the past three seasons, Legwand has recorded 37 goals and 62 assists. The 6-2, 190-pound center, who posted career-highs in games played (81), points (41) and assists (28) in 2000-01, became the first player in NHL history to convert a penalty shot attempt in overtime when he accomplished the feat on Dec. 23, 2000 against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Lundbohm, 24, recorded 11 goals and 23 assists (34pts) in a team-high 79 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League in 2001-02. The 5-10, 184-pound Roseau, Minn. native led team rookies in points (34) and finished second on the Admirals in assists in his first professional season.

The former University of North Dakota (WCHA) standout went undrafted and was originally signed as a free agent by Nashville in 2001.

The Preds announced Tuesday that the club had also agreed to terms with restricted free-agent center Greg Classen.

Classen, 24, opened the 2001-02 season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, but after a recall on Oct. 31, he established NHL career-highs in games played (55), goals (five), assists (six) and points (11) with the Predators. The 6-1, 200-pound center also notched two goals and four assists in eight games with Milwaukee.

Classen played in 27 contests for Nashville and 23 games for Milwaukee (IHL) in 2000-01, his first pro campaign. The Aylsham, Saskatchewan native made his NHL debut with Nashville on Oct. 7, 2000 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Japan.

After going undrafted, Classen was originally signed by the Predators as a free agent out of Merrimack College (H-East) on March 27, 2000.

Chevrolet Express Tour

The Predators announced have also the schedule for the Chevrolet Predators Express Tour, which begins on Tuesday, September 3 with a visit to Franklin, Tenn. Tour stops will feature several players as the team promotes the upcoming fifth-anniversary season to fans throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

This is the fifth year for the Chevrolet Predators Express Tour. The six-city, six-day tour includes stops in Hendersonville, Spring Hill, Clarksville, Bellevue and Bowling Green, KY. Predators flagship radio station WTN 99.7 FM and Outback Steakhouse will accompany the tour on several of the stops.

The Chevrolet Predators Express Tour will feature youth hockey clinics and special appearances by Predators players, as well as Predators mascot GNASH. Several tour stops will also include autograph sessions and visits to inline hockey rinks and Kroger stores. In addition, Predators fans can obtain free giveaways and participate in a variety of interactive games including the Pepsi Hot Shots obstacle course and Slap Shot cage.

For more information on the 2002 Chevrolet/Predators Express Tour schedule, please visit www.nashvillepredators.com or call Alexis Herbster at (615) 770-2321.