NASHVILLE -- Nashville desperately needs better offensive players for new coach Peter Laviolette, and the Predators believe they took a very small gamble with the chance for a big reward by signing veteran forwards Mike Ribeiro and Derek Roy to one-year contracts. Earl Thomas III Jersey . General manager David Poile called signing Ribeiro a great opportunity to add a talented, experienced and creative centre Tuesday when he introduced the veteran at a news conference. Ribeiros contract is worth $1.05 million after being bought out of the final three years of a $22 million contract by the Coyotes recently. "He knows hes living day to day," Poile said of Ribeiro. "Hes on a one-year contract." Ribeiro has 202 goals and 454 assists in 865 career regular-season games but had only 16 goals and 31 assists in 80 games for the Coyotes last season after his new deal. Arizona general manager Don Maloney said Ribeiro had "real behavioural issues" they could not tolerate, and that kept Ribeiro available until he and his agent called Poile last week. Ribeiro and his wife even paid for their own airfare, flying to Nashville to spend the past four days in town. The 34-year-old centre said Tuesday that he was separated from his wife during the season and rarely saw his children. Once the season ended, he said he went to work on his personal life and now has his head clear. He and his wife are looking at buying a house in Nashville. "Im really glad I have a chance to come here and to prove to everyone that I can still play, and that I am a good person and that Im committed to my family but to the team too and to do well," Ribeiro said. "And Im glad that I have a chance to do that." Poile said the Predators did their "due diligence" by talking to former teammates, coaches, managers and others. The general manager also talked to Ribeiros wife during their visit to Nashville. That made the Predators comfortable with signing Ribeiro. Roys deal is worth $1 million. He had nine goals and 28 assists in 75 games for the St. Louis Blues last season. He has 177 goals and 315 assists in 666 career regular-season games, but he said in a conference call Tuesday afternoon that he has spent this summer working in Toronto after dealing with knee and shoulder injuries. He hopes to regain the form that saw him score more than 63 points in four straight seasons in Buffalo. "Its been a tough few years bouncing around, and hopefully this is going to be good for me and I know that," said Roy, who has been with Dallas, Vancouver and St. Louis over the past two seasons. Its been a busy off-season for Nashville after missing the playoffs for a second straight year. The Predators not only replaced Barry Trotz with Laviolette, they also swapped a couple players to Pittsburgh for James Neal and signed Olli Jokinen. Roy will help replace centre Mike Fisher, who is out up to six months after rupturing his Achilles tendon this summer. Poile said the Predators could have up to six new forwards once the season starts, which should help a team led in scoring by defenceman and captain Shea Weber last season. "These are significant additions to change the way our team has played," Poile said. Notes: The Predators have signed Viktor Arvidsson, their fourth-round draft selection in June, to a three-year, entry-level contract. Arvidsson, 21, took part in the teams development camp last week, and he ranked ninth with 40 points in the Swedish Hockey League in the 2013-14 season. Mark Ingram II Jersey . 3 Ohio State. Amedeo Della Valle had 15 points, Marc Loving scored a career-high 13 and the bench provided 38 points as the Buckeyes sprinted past Nebraska 84-53 on Saturday. Gus Edwards Jersey . - The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned pitchers Kyle Drabek, Chad Jenkins and Sean Nolin to triple-A Buffalo.Sky Sports asked Keith Deller, a former World Matchplay semi-finalist, to identify the potential shock results in this years first round. The Blackpool event is live on Sky Sports between July 16-24 and features the worlds top players in a knockout format. The top 16 have been seeded and have been drawn against unseeded opposition in the opening round, but Deller thinks some big names could be eliminated early.Jelle Klaasen (10) v Steve Beaton Deller said: Jelle has got to be careful. With Jelle, its about the first three or four legs. If he goes in with 180s, 140s then hes very hard to beat for whoever plays him. But sometimes he doesnt do that. Jelle misses the occasional double, and Beaton has the experience to jump on that. Jelle Klaasen must be wary of Steve Beatons experience, says Keith Deller Gary Anderson (2) v Alan Norris Gary should beat Norris. Norris is a heavy scorer but he does go off the pace sometimes. If Gary doesnt kick on, hes got to be careful, because this lad can hit 180s for fun. Keith Deller Ian White (12) v Daryl GurneyDeller said: Another cracking game. Daryl is playing really well, hes a heavy scorer. Ian has been winning and will have a lot of confidence but there could be an upset there. Keith Dellerr fancies Daryl Gurney to potentially cause a shock Stephen Bunting (14) v Mensur SuljovicDeller said: On form, youd put Mensur above Stephen. Raheem Mostert Jersey. But this will go a long way. Stephens got to be careful because if hes in trouble, Mensur will slow him down even more. But thats up to him - he can do what he likes! Mensur Suljovics awkward style could upset Stephen Bunting Vincent van der Voort (16) v Kyle Anderson It wouldnt be too much of a surprise if Kyle won this. Theres not much in this - it will go all the way. Keith Deller Dave Chisnall (9) v Benito van de PasDeller said: This would be a shock - but in a way, it wouldnt be. Chisnall is playing well but Benito is a very good player, a very high scorer and hell be around the 100 average. Dave has got to come out firing. Keith Deller wouldnt be surprised if Benito van de Pas won Watch the World Matchplay from Blackpool live on Sky Sports between July 16-24. Also See: Full draw Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Schedule/Results Features Get Sky Sports ' ' '
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