Preds re-sign leading goal-scorer Kostitsyn to one-year, $2.5M deal

The Nashville Predators' leading goal scorer will return next season.

General Manager David Poile announced the re-signing of forward Sergei Kostitsyn to a one-year, $2.5 million deal just hours before a hearing on the 24-year-old Belarussian's contract status.

Kostitsyn — who netted a team-high 23 goals in 2010-11 — could have become an unrestricted free agent if an arbitrator ruled the team did not tender a qualifying offer to him in time.

Thursday, the Predators signed restricted free agents Nick Spaling, Chris Mueller, Cal O'Reilly and Matt Halischuk, who — like Kostitsyn — would have also become unrestricted if the arbitrator ruled against the team.