Apparently seven minor league games were all Ben Harpur needed to make an impression on the Nashville Predators organization. Following his midseason trade, Harpur has signed a one-year contract extension with the Predators worth $700K at the NHL level. The hulking defenseman was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer.
Harpur, 25, started the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization after being part of the Nikita Zaitsev–Cody Ceci trade, but ended up down in the minor leagues. In 34 games with the Toronto Marlies he recorded 11 points before ending up on another plane to Milwaukee following a deadline deal that sent Miikka Salomaki to the Maple Leafs.
Standing 6’6″ and weighing in at 223 pounds, there are few more imposing players in the league, but Harpur has had a tough time securing a full-time role in the NHL. He has 103 games under his belt, all with the Ottawa Senators, and may well find himself in the AHL again next season.
Milwaukee has to replace what Tinordi brought down there since he seems to be a nashville mainstay now