The Nashville Predators announced Monday that the club has signed free agent defenceman Anton Volchenkov to a one-year, $1 million contract.

"Anton provides a strong veteran presence that will complement our young, talented defensive corps nicely," general manager David Poile said in a statement. "He is a physical, left-handed shooting defenseman who can match up with top-line forwards and effectively kill penalties."

Volchenkov, 32, has played 650 NHL games for New Jersey and Ottawa, posting 126 points and 424 penalty minutes.

Since 2005-06, the 6-1, 225-pound blueliner has the second-most blocked shots among all skaters (1,395) and the 10th-most hits among defencemen (1,313). He's appeared in the playoffs seven times in 11 NHL seasons, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final on two occasions – in 2012 with New Jersey and 2007 with Ottawa.

In 85 career postseason games, Volchenkov has 17 points and 58 penalty minutes.

Ottawa's first selection, 21st overall in 2000, Volchenkov is a two-time Olympian, representing Russia in 2006 and 2010.