Laviolette signs 2-year extension with Predators

The Nashville Predators have signed head coach Peter Laviolette to a two-year contract extension, a deal that will keep him with the team through the 2019-20 season.

The announcement was made Saturday at a Skate of the Union fan event, in advance of the first sold-out preseason home game in franchise history.

Laviolette is entering his third season behind the bench in Nashville, having guided the Predators to a regular-season record of 88-52-24 and consecutive playoff appearances, most recently a seven-game loss to San Jose in the second round.

He's also won a Stanley Cup and gone to the final as head coach in Carolina and Philadelphia, respectively.

Expectations are high in Nashville, with P.K. Subban joining a loaded defensive corps, and Laviolette has clearly been tabbed as the man to finally take the Predators to next level.