Predators, Craig Smith pleased with new contract - The Tennessean
As the Predators negotiated with restricted free agent forward Craig Smith, there was a mutually held belief that the two sides would agree to a new contract. "We couldn't get close enough that we thought a deal was going to get done beforehand, so we went through with arbitration. Smith reportedly proposed a salary of $4. 75 million in the brief that his representation submitted prior to the hearing. Despite going through with the hearing Monday, the Predators avoided arbitration with Smith, signing him to a five-year, $21. 25 million contract that satisfied all involved. Both sides sought a long-term contract but could not agree on the annual average value. They held one more meeting before the hearing began prior to initiating the formal arbitration process, even chatting during breaks in an attempt to broker a deal. "We went through the arbitration hearing, which was a long process, but one that both sides got to hear the other side's thoughts about Craig as a player," said Kevin Magnuson, Smith's agent. "One thing that both (Predators director of hockey operations) Brian Poile and I never wavered on was the Predators' want of Craig and their. Source: www.tennessean.com
