Center Nick Bonino has signed with the Nashville Predators, in a change of allegiances from this past Stanley Cup Final. The term is four years for $16.4 million. His contract carries an annual cap hit of $4.1 million. Bonino spent the first five seasons of his career with the Anaheim Ducks.
Bonino signs 4 year deal with Preds. $4.1 aav. Had other offers for more, but great fit in Nash, plus tax benefits.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2017
Nick Bonino Signs With Nashville Predators
Bonino is coming off his second straight Stanley Cup title with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the Hartford native missed the final four games of the playoffs with a broken tibia. The San Jose Sharks drafted Bonino in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Before the NHL, Bonino attended Boston University. He spent three seasons with the Terriers, recording 117 points during that time. Bonino was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on March 9th, 2009.
4 year deal. https://t.co/pl6LPzwrVd
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2017
This past year, Bonino appeared in 80 regular season games for the black and gold. He had 37 points and added seven more in 21 playoff games. He tallied 29 points in 63 games with the Penguins last season. The Center stepped up in the playoffs, racking up 18 points in 24 playoff games, helping Pittsburgh to it’s first Stanley Cup since 2009. At the 2014 NHL Draft, Bonino was traded to the Vancouver Canucks with other assets for Ryan Kesler. He played 63 games for Vancouver, recording 39 points. However, after just one season with the Canucks, Bonino was dealt again. Pittsburgh acquired him in a deal that sent Brandon Sutter to Vancouver.
After finishing his Junior season, Bonino left school for the NHL. He played the final nine games of the 2009-2010 season with the Ducks. For the next two seasons, he split time between Anaheim and the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. During the lockout shortened season of 2012-2013, Bonino appeared in 27 games. He missed six weeks with a lower-body injury. He racked up 13 points in the regular season and three in six playoff games. His first full season in 2013-14 is his best statistically to date, with 22 goals and 49 points in 77 games, including seven goals and 20 points on the man advantage.
Bonino’s contract history is relatively brief. His expiring deal paid him $1.9 million per season for the past three seasons. His previous deal paid him $700,000 per season for two campaigns, and his first standard contract after his entry-level deal was worth $693,000 for one season.
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