Predators lock up Nick Bonino for 4 years, $16.4M

The Nashville Predators signed two-time Stanley Cup champion Nick Bonino to a four-year contract worth $16.4 million, the club announced.

Bonino, 29, will likely slot in as Nashville's second-line center behind Ryan Johansen, assuming they're able to sign the latter, who is a restricted free agent, to an extension.

In a third-line role, Bonino was able to carve out some impressive numbers in Pittsburgh. He scored 18 goals and added 19 assists in 80 games while only averaging 16:39 minutes per night. His ice time is surely set to increase in the Music City.

Though nothing is certain, the Bonino signing suggests that the Predators are out of the Matt Duchene sweepstakes.