NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN DEFENSEMAN ANDREAS LILJA

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN DEFENSEMAN ANDREAS LILJA
- Preds also re-sign Scott Hartnell, Andrew Hutchinson and Brian
Finley -

Nashville, Tenn. (July 26, 2004) - Nashville Predators Executive Vice
President/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club
has signed unrestricted free-agent defenseman Andreas Lilja
(an-DRAY-uhs LIHL-yuh). In addition, the club has signed restricted
free-agent forward Scott Hartnell (HAHRT-nuhl), restricted free-agent
defenseman Andrew Hutchinson (HUHT-chihn-suhn) and restricted
free-agent goaltender Brian Finley. In keeping with club policy,
terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Lilja, 29 (7/13/75), posted career-highs in games played (79) and
penalty minutes (90) in 2003-04 with the Florida Panthers. The 6-3,
228-pound blueliner registered seven points (3g-4a) last season and
career-highs in goals (4), assists (8) and points (12) in 2002-03.

The Helsingborg, Sweden native has tallied 27 points (8g-19a) in 180
NHL games with Los Angeles and Florida over the past four seasons. He
was originally the Kings' second choice, 54th overall (second round),
in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Hartnell, 22 (4/18/82), tied for second on the Predators with a
career-high 18 goals this past season, despite missing 23 games due to
injury. The 6-2, 210-pound forward, who hails from Lloydminster,
Alberta, also tied for the team lead with three points (1g-2a) in the
Predators' inaugural playoff series this past April vs. Detroit. In
2003-04, he tallied the first two overtime goals of his career,
including the 1000th goal in Predators' franchise history (the
game-winner on November 21 at Anaheim).

In four seasons with the Predators, Hartnell has appeared in 291
games, notching 46 goals and 78 assists (46g-78a-124). He has also
registered 347 penalty minutes, which ranks him third among the
franchise's all-time leaders. Hartnell was Nashville's first
selection, sixth overall (first round), in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Hutchinson, 24 (3/24/80), registered eight points (4g-4a) in 18 games
with Nashville in 2003-04. The 6-2, 198-pound native of Evanston, Ill.
also posted 24 points (12g-12a) and a +7 rating in 46 regular-season
games with the 2004 American Hockey League Calder Cup Champion
Milwaukee Admirals. He ranked fourth on the club with 16 points
(5g-11a) in the playoffs and played for the PlanetUSA All-Stars at the
2004 AHL All-Star Classic.

In his second pro season after playing four campaigns at Michigan
State (CCHA), Hutchinson scored his first career NHL goal on January
8, 2004 in a 4-3 win vs. Colorado and scored his first career overtime
goal in a 2-1 win vs. the New York Rangers on February 28. He was
originally Nashville's fourth choice, 54th overall (second round), in
the 1999 Entry Draft.

Finley, 23 (7/3/81), set pro-career bests in games played (43), wins
(23), goals-against average (2.34) and save percentage (.917) with
Milwaukee. In his second pro season (after missing the entire 2001-02
campaign while rehabilitating a groin injury), the 6-3, 205-pound
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. native tied for sixth in the AHL in wins.

Sharing duties in net this past season with Jack A. Butterfield
Trophy-winner (AHL playoff MVP) Wade Flaherty, Finley tied an Admirals
franchise record with 10 consecutive victories from January 24 through
February 28. He posted a 1.70 GAA and a .943 save percentage during
the stretch.

Finley has appeared in one NHL game with Nashville (January 1, 2003
vs. Colorado). He was the Predators' first selection, sixth overall
(first round), in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.