Predators sign Kevin Gravel to two-year, two-way contract extension

Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced Friday the team signed defenseman Kevin Gravel to a two-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 per season at the NHL level that will begin in the 2024-25 season.

Gravel, 31, is serving as captain of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals this season and has one goal and five assists for six points in 36 games this season. Now in his second seasons with the Predators organization after signing as a free agent in July 2022, he spent most of last season with the Admirals, where he had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 49 games.

He also played 23 games with Nashville last season, recording one assist. Drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Kings of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Gravel has played 132 career NHL games with the Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, scoring one goal and 13 assists for 14 points.

In 358 career AHL games, Gravel has 24 goals and 69 assists for 93 points.

Gravel won a Calder Cup in 2014-15 with the Manchester Monarchs, appearing in 19 games and recording five assists.

Prior to turning pro, the Kingsford, Mich. native played four seasons for St. Cloud State University, captaining the team as a senior and helping them win the National Collegiate Hockey Conference regular-season title in 2013-14.

The Admirals are 25-10-1 through 36 games, first in the AHL’s Central Division. Their next game is at home on Friday against the Rockford Icehogs, followed by a road game against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday.