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Barret Jackman feels 'like a rookie again' after signing with Predators

Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY Sports

Barret Jackman has a new lease on his hockey life.

When it became apparent that the St. Louis Blues would not renew his contract upon its expiry earlier this summer, Jackman, for the first time in his career, explored his options on the open market, and landed with division-rival Nashville Predators.

As he gathers with his new teammates for informal skates in advance of training camp, Jackman feels decidedly reinvigorated.

"I feel like a rookie again coming in and not knowing anybody on a new team," Jackman told Brooks Bratten at Predators.com. "I'm trying to get the lay of the land, but it's been fun and rejuvenating. It's good to be back on the ice.

"To go from being very familiar and maybe helping other guys out, to being the guy that needs to be held by the hand and shown everything, it's something new. It's also fun. Getting to see a new city and be around some new guys, I'm just kind of getting back to feeling like a kid again."

The 2001-02 NHL Rookie of the Year brings 803 games of experience with him to Nashville, but has only been beyond the first round of the playoffs on two occasions with the Blues.

The 34-year-old spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Blues after being selected 17th overall by the club back in 1999.

He signed a two-year, $4-million contract with the Predators on July 1, and joins a defense corps that boasts the likes of Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Seth Jones, and Ryan Ellis.

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