Predators re-sign key piece to their offense

The Nashville Predators have re-signed one of their own.

Forward Joel Ward agreed with the team on a two-year contract Wednesday, hours after the start of the NHL’s free agency period. The deal will pay him $1.5 million per season.

The 28-year-old tripled his salary from a year ago when he had 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 79 games.

Before he was signed as a free agent last summer he had appeared in just 11 NHL contests and had one assist with no goals.

Updates on this story to follow at nashvillecitypaper.com.