Predators sign Mattias Ekholm to 6-year, $22.5M contract extension

The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Mattias Ekholm to a six-year, $22.5-million contract extension, general manager David Poile announced Monday.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, Ekholm has developed into a high-end defenseman for the Predators, meshing well with partner Ryan Ellis, who is locked up until the end of 2018-19.

The 25-year-old scored seven goals and 11 assists in 80 games for Nashville last season, and is on pace to eclipse those totals with a goal and two assists through eight games, while averaging 18:12 of ice time per game.

Ekholm, who was in line to become a restricted free agent at season's end, will now carry a salary cap hit of $3.75 million through 2021-22.