Barret Jackman has known nothing but the St. Louis Blues, until now.
Two years, $2 million per season for Jackman in Nashville
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) July 1, 2015
2014-15 Cap Hit: $3.16 million
Nashville won’t be expecting the 1999 17th overall pick to make any kind of impact on the scoresheet. He will, however, provide a steady defensive game, hitting, blocking shots, and a huge helping of veteran leadership to boot.
Jackman has played the entirety of his 803-game career with the St. Louis Blues, winning the Calder trophy back in 2002-03. Offensively, he hit a career high back in 2006-07, when he scored 27 points, but lately he’s gotten into a comfortable rhythm of a 15 points and a couple of goals a year. That said, there are a number of positives to Jackman’s game that are incredibly valuable to most NHL teams. He’s averaged more than 100 blocked shots (141) and hits (113) per season, as well as logging big minutes on the penalty kill (2:16 per game last year). Throw in a Corsi For% that hovered between 52-53 percent the last two seasons, and it’s clear Jackman is a quality shut-down defender.
His age may have scared some general managers off, as will his declining ice time as he approaches the end of his career, but it’s not unreasonable to expect he can still play a solid top-four, complimentary role in Nashville if they need it.
For more on the Top Ten UFA Defensemen—>https://lastwordonsports.com/?p=148717
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