Preds Sign Ellis to long-term Contract
Ryan Ellis has signed an eight-year, $50 million extension with the Nashville Predators according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Once the extension kicks in, Ellis will come with a cap hit of $6.25 million per season and he’ll also receive a $7 million signing bonus on July 1, 2019. Ellis was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season but Nashville has ensured he will be around for the next nine seasons.
The 27-year-old finished with nine goals and 32 points in 44 games last season and is known for his puck-moving skills as a defensemen. Assuming he stays healthy, Ellis should put together another fine season with the Cup-contending Predators.
Speaking of which, oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu list Nashville with 10/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup next season. Only the Tampa Bay Lightning (8/1) and Toronto Maple Leafs (9/1) have better odds to win the Cup for the 2018-19 NHL season. Along with the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets, the Predators are co-favorites to win the Western Conference title at 5/1.
Getting back to Ellis, the defenseman believes the Preds can compete for a Stanley Cup for the next 10 years after signing his extension.
“If we can keep everyone here and keep the core together, I think we can compete for a Stanley Cup for the next 10 years at least,” Ellis said via The Nashville Tennessean. “I mean that’s bold to say, but we believe a lot in the people we have in our room, our coach, our GM and our entire organization.”