Adam Vingan

avingan@tennessean.com

The Predators padded their depth on the first day of NHL free agency, signing forward Harry Zolnierczyk and defensemen Yannick Weber and Matt Irwin to one-year contracts.

Weber's contract includes a $575,000 salary. Irwin and Zolnierczyk's contracts are both two-way and will pay them $575,000 at the NHL level and $150,000 at the American Hockey League level.

Nashville was open about its preference to stay out of the spending spree that is NHL free agency, instead scouring the market for bargains.

Of the players signed, Weber will be of the biggest help to the Predators. A veteran of 274 NHL games, Weber, who will be 28 in September, has spent the past three seasons with the Canucks, appearing in 45 games last season with seven assists.

He fills a need left behind by veteran defenseman Barret Jackman, who the Predators bought out after one season, and will likely be a third-pairing defenseman with Anthony Bitetto.

Weber wore No. 6 in Vancouver, which is available in Nashville following the trade of former captain Shea Weber to the Canadiens on Wednesday. The expectation is that Yannick Weber, who is of no relation to Shea Weber, will not be wearing that number.

Irwin spent last season with the Bruins' AHL affiliate, playing in 64 games and scoring 30 points. He has played in 155 NHL games, with all but two coming with San Jose. He will presumably add experience to the Predators' AHL team, as will Zolnierczyk, who has played in 60 NHL games, but only three in the past two years with the Islanders and Ducks.

As expected, goaltender Carter Hutton left Nashville after three seasons, signing a two-year contract worth $2.25 million with Central Division rival St. Louis.

NHL free agent tracker 2016: Gut reactions to biggest signings

Hutton's Predators career, which began during the 2013-14 season, ends with a 33-23-12 record, 2.55 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and four shutouts. He started a career-high 34 games in his first season in place of an injured Pekka Rinne, but only started 32 combined games in his final two seasons, including 15 last season.

In search of more playing time, Hutton, 30, may find it in St. Louis. The Blues traded veteran goaltender Brian Elliott to the Flames last week, handing the crease to Jake Allen, who signed a four-year extension worth $17.4 million Friday. Allen, 25, started 44 games last season after entering it with 45 career starts, which may present Hutton with more appearances.

Goaltender Marek Mazanec is the front-runner to replace Hutton as the Predators' backup.

"Thanks to (the Predators) for an amazing 3 years!" Hutton tweeted Friday. "Will always cherish my time spent in Nashville. On that note, couldn't be happier to join (the Blues). Can't wait to get the season going!!!"

Elsewhere in the NHL, several seven-year contracts were handed out within the first hour of free agency. Forward Andrew Ladd, who the Predators expressed interest in, signed with the Islanders for a reported total of $38.5 million. The Oilers and Sabres signed forwards Milan Lucic and Kyle Okposo, respectively, for $42 million each.

Reach Adam Vingan on Twitter @AdamVingan.

Who will be next Predators captain?

Three reasons for and against Predators' big trade



