The Predators re-upped a pair of forwards this week, inking Brandon Yip and Chris Mueller to one-year contracts.

Yip was a waiver wire grab for the Predators and has fit in well in Nashville. He is a big body who can play physical yet had also shown when playing regularly for the Colorado Avalanche that he can put the puck in the net. As the season moved towards a close for Nashville Yip found he was in the lineup more and more, playing key situations for the team (penalty kill, extra attacker). Looking ahead I can see him earning more playing time and more trust from the coaching staff in all kinds of situations. He’s turned out to be a great acquisition.

Mueller is another player who was a find for the organization, after being signed to a two-way ECHL/AHL contract with Milwaukee for 2009-10 and later that season was signed by the Predators when the team needed to recall a center. Last year he led Milwaukee in scoring and goals, finishing fifth overall in the AHL with 32 markers (his 8 GWGs was tied-second in the league) and even appeared in the AHL All-Star Game. Mueller provides Nashville with great depth at center --- plus he has the flexibility to play shifts on the wing as well --- and is a player who may, at 26, turn out to be a late-bloomer. With 19 NHL games under his belt the Predators certainly have no qualms turning to him if needed during the year. Don’t be surprised if Mueller makes a serious push this season in training camp for a spot with the big club.

It will be an interesting weekend in Smashville as the 2012 Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh, so make sure you keep your browser pointed right here for the latest updates!

Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.