Nashville Predators: Ryan Ellis signs eight-year deal
The Nashville Predators made one of their biggest moves this offseason, signing Ryan Ellis to an eight-year, $50 million deal this morning.
The Nashville Predators finally reached a deal with Ryan Ellis this morning, as Ellis signed an eight-year deal, including $6.25 million a year. He will also reach a $7 million signing bonus on July 1, 2019.
This is a huge get for the Predators, considering the price they were able to get Ellis at. The Predators didn’t have to break the bank to get Ellis to come back to Nashville. Many thought the Predators would have to break the bank to get Ellis, especially considering the deals that Drew Doughty and John Carlson were able to get earlier this offseason.
The Predators' top four defense next season (P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm) will cost a combined $19.25 million. Even when Ellis' new contract kicks in, it'll be $23 million.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) August 14, 2018
Considering the Predators have one of the best top two defensive lines in the NHL, and having their top four guys for just $23 million is an absolute steal and yet more magic from GM David Poile. Ellis likely would’ve been one of the best defensemen on the market next offseason, so signing him to a deal this good is a steal for the Predators.
Ellis had this to say about his contract on 102.5 The Game.
Ryan Ellis: Obviously the money's great but being able to stay in Nashville and live there was the No. 1 priority...hopefully we can chase down some cups in the future.
— 102.5 & 106.3 The Game (@1025TheGame) August 14, 2018
Ryan Ellis: We're building something. I wanted something that was fair but didn't want to break the bank so that we could keep all of these guys together.
— 102.5 & 106.3 The Game (@1025TheGame) August 14, 2018
Ellis is coming off of a year where he posted 32 points in just 44 games. He had to sit out the first half of the season, as he was recovering from an offseason knee surgery. He finished the regular season with nine goals and a career-high of 23 assists. Ellis came in clutch many times for the Predators last season, scoring a number of game-tying goals.
Ellis has been a player the Predators have depended on the last few years, especially during the playoffs. Ellis has been well known for giving his all out on the ice, especially during the Predators Stanley Cup run two years ago. He even took a puck and skate to the face during the playoffs last season.
Ellis now joins Miikka Salomaki, Ryan Hartman, and Juuse Saros who have signed a deal this offseason for the Nashville Predators. Salomaki signed a two-year, two-way deal for just $750,000, while Hartman signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, and Saros inked a three-year, $4.5 million dollar contract.