The Nashville Predators signed unrestricted free agent forward Zach Sanford to a one-year contract worth $850,000. Sanford is set to be an unrestricted free agent again next summer.
The #Preds have signed forward Zach Sanford to a one-year, $850,000 contract.https://t.co/2guEUAUijj
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 15, 2022
Zach Sanford Signs Deal
Over his five-year NHL career, Sanford has played for the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets. He has put up 47 goals and 48 assists for 95 career points in 289 career games. Washington originally drafted Sanford in the second round, 61st overall of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Last season he scored nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 80 games. He also added 50 penalty minutes during the 2021-22 campaign. His possession numbers were 46.8 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -1.0.
Sanford was picked up by the Jets at the trade deadline from the Senators. The Salem, Mass. native didn’t score a goal during his 18-game stretch with Winnipeg. He played two seasons with Boston College in the NCAA before becoming a pro in July 2016. Sanford signed a three-year entry-level deal after that.
What This Means for the Future
The 27-year-old has an edge to his game and can help out in the bottom-six of a team’s forward group. Sanford did score a career-high 16 goals in 58 games in the Blues’ Stanley Cup-winning season. He netted 15 even-strength goals during that career-best season. The veteran forward even scored in Game 7 of the Blues’ win over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
Sanford hasn’t regained the scoring form from that season, but can still be a useful player. He’s got grit and provides plenty of energy for his spot in the lineup. The forward has a big-frame at 6-foot, 3-inches and 210 pounds. Sanford can also throw his weight around and use the body. He’s not flashy, but he can help a team get the job done in holding leads late in a game.
“I had some great seasons there but I’m looking forward to going head-to-head with these guys.”
Zach Sanford is excited to face some familiar faces on the Blues tonight ⬇️ #GoSensGo
📝 https://t.co/WN8vpVpnNU pic.twitter.com/baJagkLC1c
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 15, 2022
