Nashville, Tenn. (November 27, 2008) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has acquired forward Wade Belak from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Nick Tarnasky.

Belak, 32 (7/3/76), has appeared in 15 games for the Panthers in 2008-09, recording 25 penalty minutes. Since 1996-97, the Saskatoon, Sask., native has played 457 career NHL games for four teams (Colorado, Calgary, Toronto and Florida) posting 29 points (8g-21a) and 1,133 penalty minutes. The 6-5, 230-pounder signed a two-year contract with Florida on May 2, 2008, putting him under contract through the 2009-10 season. He was originally Quebec’s first choice (12th overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Belak is expected to join the Predators (10-9-2) in Atlanta, and be available for tomorrow night’s 6:30 p.m. game against the Thrashers (8-11-2) at Philips Arena (TV: FS Tennessee, Radio: WGFX 104.5 FM The Zone).

Saturday night, the Predators return to Nashville to host the Minnesota Wild at the Sommet Center at 7 p.m. Tickets to this and all Predators home games may be purchased online at nashvillepredators.com, in addition to the Sommet Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling (615) 770-PUCK.