The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Mattias Ekholm to a six-year contract worth $22.5 million, the team announced on Monday. That’s an AAV $3.75.
It’s an incredibly reasonable deal that will keep Ekholm under contract through his 31-year-old season.
He’s a young defenseman that has continued to develop, setting career marks last year with seven goals and 11 assists.
He also posted a score-adjusted CF%Rel of 4.9% for a total CF% of 56.6% last year. In each of the four prior seasons where he’s played he’s posted positive relative possession numbers.
These are good indicators that Ekholm is developing and will continue to be an impact player for the Predators. Throw in that he’s finally starting to bring some offense to the table and he’s just another piece of a frighteningly good Nashville blue line.
Mattias Ekholm inks a 6-year contract extension with the #Preds. Instant analysis: https://t.co/ZpZuhputOk pic.twitter.com/omtysfamxm
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) October 26, 2015
Through the 2018-19 season the team will still have Shea Weber, Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, and Mattias Ekholm under contract. Seth Jones is still on his ELC. This defense is ridiculous and is going to be around for a while.
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Advanced stats via War on Ice.
