The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Ryan Ellis to an eight-year, $50-million contract extension, according to an official team announcement on Tuesday.
Ellis, who is in the final year of a five-year, $12.5-million deal that pays him a modest $2.5 per season, was set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2018-2019 regular season but will now remain under contract through the 2026-27 season.
“Ryan is a huge part of our team on and off the ice and we are happy to have his leadership remain in our locker room for the foreseeable future,” general manager David Poile said in a release. “We have talked about wanting to keep the core of our team together, and this is another opportunity to help us do so while continuing to compete for a Stanley Cup. Ryan is entering his prime and is one of the reasons why we feel this team has a chance to win every time we step on the ice.”
Ellis only played in 44 games last season, but still poured in nine goals and 32 points for Nashville.
