Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis will not enter the 2019 restricted free-agency after all. Although it has seemed that Ellis and Predators can’t agree on a contract extension before the start of the new NHL season, the two sides managed to strike a deal earlier this week.
Ellis signed an eight-year extension, reportedly worth $50 million. The 27-year-old had one year left on his five-year, $12.5 million, contract.
The beard is back! #Preds sign defenseman Ryan Ellis to eight-year contract.
📖 – https://t.co/IolYgXlsRX pic.twitter.com/QQn1BAEjrH
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) August 14, 2018
“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,” – said Predators general manager David Poile in a statement. “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.”
After inking the deal, Ryan Ellis recorded a short video in which he said that he is looking forward to spending the next nine years with the organization.
9 more years of Ryan Ellis 🙌#IsItOctoberYet pic.twitter.com/Yft1fmHgOo
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) August 16, 2018
Ellis might stick around past these nine years since the player recently announced that he would like to finish his career in Nashville.
“I love it here,” – he said back in May. “My fiancée loves it here. If it was my wish, I’d finish my career here. So we’ll see what happens.”
By signing Ryan Ellis to an extension, Predators get to keep one of the league’s top defenseman who can provide on both ends of the ice. In 352 NHL career games, Ellis scored 46 goals while contributing 95 assists.
