He describes himself as a "Wannabe Country Singer" in his Twitter bio, but Matt Duchene is also an elite hockey player - and he's coming to Music City, USA.
The Predators signed the highly skilled centerman to a seven-year, $56 million contract on Monday afternoon as the NHL's free agency period opened. It's arguably the biggest move Preds General Manager David Poile has ever made in free agency, and after years of being on Nashville's radar, Duchene will be moving to Tennessee.
"Our objective this offseason was to bolster our offense, and signing Matt Duchene gives us another dynamic goal-scoring, playmaking center," Poile said. "We are excited to add his skill and experience to our top-six forwards and look forward to the next seven years of Matt and his family in Smashville. Matt's love of country music and passion for the city of Nashville make this partnership a perfect fit."
A native of Haliburton, Ontario, Duchene met with the Predators last week in Nashville and confirmed what he already knew - this is exactly where he wants to be.
So, why did the Predators covet the two-time NHL All-Star, and what does the deal mean for the franchise? Here's some instant analysis on Nashville's newest acquisition.
Instant Analysis: Preds Bring Matt Duchene to Music City
Nashville's Acquisition of Elite Centerman is Perfect Fit for All Parties
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