Predators sign Bartley to three-year contract

The Nashville Predators on Wednesday announced the signing of defenseman Victor Bartley to a three-year, $2 million contract.

The 25-year-old will earn $600,000 in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and $800,000 in 2015-16.

Bartley appeared in his first 24 career NHL games down the stretch for Nashville in 2012-13, recording seven assists. He ranked fourth on the Predators in average ice time (19:32) and led Nashville defensemen in plus/minus (plus-2).

The Maple Ridge, British Columbia, native started the 2012-13 season with Milwaukee; he led Admirals defensemen and was ranked among the AHL’s top 20 in points with 26 (seven goals) in 54 games at the time of his last AHL regular-season game, and represented the team at the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic.