I am encouraged that he is reasonable and that he did not try to get
a huge contract at this time. To me he is still unproven. The
potential is there, but seeing it through is another matter.

Let's see what this season holds!

Joe

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Legwand accepts qualifying offer
By CHIP CIRILLO
Staff Writer


Restricted free agents David Legwand and Bryan Lundbohm accepted one-
year qualifying offers with the Predators yesterday.

Legwand, the second overall pick in the 1998 draft, will earn
$1,072,500 during his fourth season in the NHL. Financial terms were
unavailable for Lundbohm, a right wing who scored 34 points during
his rookie season with Milwaukee in the American Hockey League last
year.

''I think it's really good that David agreed to take his qualifying
offer and we're certainly hoping that his fourth year is his best
year,'' Predators General Manager David Poile said. ''I think he's
certainly committed to being the best player he can be and hopefully
his hard work this summer will translate into some good results for
him individually and for us team-wise.''

Legwand had 11 goals and 19 assists last season, but was hampered by
a back strain that sidelined the 21-year-old center for 19 games.

''I think every player is always happy to have his contract
settled,'' said Pat Morris, Legwand's agent. ''In David's
circumstance, he had a bit of an injury bug at the end of the season
and given Nashville's desire to have him on a one-year deal, we
thought it appropriate to agree to terms [yesterday]. He's doing full
squats now, and the back seems to be excellent and responding very
well.

''He's ready to go and he's skating now. He's really optimistic, and
it's always tough when you miss the end of the season, the crucial
time of the season when you're trying to keep in the playoff hunt. So
I think he's really excited about his fourth season in the NHL and
hopefully to contribute a lot more.''

The Predators are hoping this will be a breakthrough season for
Legwand, who had 54 goals and 51 assists for Plymouth in the Ontario
Hockey League in 1997-98. Legwand has 37 goals and 62 assists in 216
NHL games.

Goalie Jan Lasak and defenseman Peter Smrek did not accept qualifying
offers by yesterday's deadline.

''We're talking to those two guys, so to me the deadline is not in
place for those guys based on conversations that we've had with their
agents and them,'' Poile said.

Qualifying offers guarantee a player a 10% raise over his salary the
previous season. If the player doesn't accept the offer, negotiations
can begin from scratch, but the player isn't guaranteed a more
lucrative contract.