Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile announced the resigning of center Ryan Johansen.
Poile said in Friday's announcement that Johansen signed with the Preds for an 8-year contract for $64 million.
"There's no better place to play in the NHL right now than in Nashville," said Johansen.
Poile said he expected Johansen to be a driver of the team.
"We're going to do really well and when we do really, well Ryan Johansen is going to be a big big factor," said Poile.
Johansen went on to express his thanks in the team and coaches for trusting and believing in him to be the number one center in the NHL.
Johansen Trade Pays Off For Preds In Playoffs
The Johansen deal should help make the Predators a legitimate Stanley Cup contender for the foreseeable future. Johansen is only 25, and his best hockey appears to be ahead of him.
Johansen has been every bit as good as advertised since coming over from the Columbus Blue Jackets via a trade back in January of 2016.
Last season, he tied for the team lead with 61 points (14 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games.
"It was a big addition at the time," head coach Peter Laviolette said in May as the Predators prepared for either the Ducks or Oilers in round three. "Pieces like that are hard to come by. He's young, he's 6'3, he's big, he's skilled, he's talented. From an organizational standpoint of what we needed, it made a lot of sense."
Before getting injured in the Western Conference Finals against Anaheim, Johansen leading the Predators with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was leading the Predators with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs leading the Predators in points (13 goals, 10 assists) and many wonder how different the Stanley Cup Final series against Pittsburgh might have been had Johansen been healthy.
The team also added veteran wing Scott Hartnell and center Nick Bonino in free agency, further strengthening a team that will already be considered one of the top title contenders entering next season.
The Predators are now able to keep one of the top young forwards in the NHL long term at a reasonable price.
