Predators sign free-agent defensemen Borowiecki, Benning to two-year deals

There’s a new sheriff in town. Or a new “cop,” at least.

The Predators signed free-agent defenseman Mark “Boro Cop” Borowiecki to a two-year, $4 million contract Friday, the first day of free agency. They also signed defenseman Matt Benning to a two-year, $2 million deal Friday. The 26-year-old had a goal and seven assists in 43 games with the Oilers last season.

Borowiecki, who once stopped a car robbery in progress, said a former AHL roommate tagged him with the name because of his toughness and willingness to protect teammates on the ice while “trying to make a name for himself — fighting a lot, hitting a lot, all that kind of sometimes frowned-up but fun stuff.”

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“I was a bit more wild and reckless on the ice — I guess I’m known for that still,” he said. “It just kind of stuck and guys ran with it.

“I was known as ‘The Sheriff’ for a little bit too.”

Borowiecki, 31, addresses a need for the Predators in the bottom of their defense after Dan Hamhuis retired and Yannick Weber became a free agent. He also offers some grit to a lineup that has lacked that in recent years. Hockeyfights.com says he’s been in 57 fights during his nine-year career.

He also had 199 hits and and 120 blocked shots last season.

Borowiecki, who is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, had seven goals and 11 assists in 53 games with the Senators last season.

“One of our objectives at the start of free agency was to improve our depth at defense and Mark’s signing goes a long way toward accomplishing that,” David Poile said in a statement. “He adds an element of toughness that we were missing on the back end, as well as being a natural leader and strong penalty killer.”

Borowiecki said he and his wife Tara are “pumped” about coming to Nashville.

Benning, son of former NHL defenseman Brian Benning and nephew of Canucks general manager Jim Benning, also is expected to bring some physicality to the Predators. He had 78 hits and 34 blocks last season.

“There’s a lot of good minds around me,” said Benning, whose grandfather was a scout for the Canadiens and whose younger brother Michael Benning was picked by the Panthers in this week’s draft.

Later Friday, according to multiple reports, the Predators signed center Nick Cousins to a two-year, $3 million deal. Cousins has 41 goals and 57 assists in 324 regular-season games.

Sexual assault charges against Cousins and two teammates were dropped in 2013. Cousins, who was 19 at the time, and the other men were ordered to have no communication with the accuser for 12 months.

Several other former Predators moved on Friday, too.

Kyle Turris signed a two-year, $3.3 million deal with the Oilers two days after the Predators bought out the remaining four years of his contract that will cost them $2 million per year through 2027-28. 

Colin Blackwell signed a two-year contract with the Rangers.

The Avalanche signed forward Miikka Salomaki to a one-year deal.

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.