Defenseman Mattias Ekholm will continue calling Nashville his home for years to come. On Wednesday, Ekholm inked a new contract with the Predators that locks him with the franchise until 2026.
Ekholm, who has one year left on his old deal, will earn $6.25 million annually starting the 2022-23 NHL season. The news was confirmed by the Predators on social media and the team’s official website.
“Staying with this organization and in this city was a priority for me and my family, and I’m so excited to be able to sign this contract,” said Ekholm in a statement after the extension became official. “Nashville is home for us, it’s where we want to be. I believe in the future of this team and I’m looking forward to the chance at competing for the Stanley Cup here in the next five seasons.”
Ekholm, who is Nashville’s alternate captain, was limited to just 48 games during the 2020/21 regular season but still contributed 23 points. This was second among all Predators’ defensemen and the sixth consecutive campaign with 23+ points for the 31-year-old.
Mattias Ekholm established himself as one of the Predators’ most important players in recent years. He was a significant part of the franchise’s regular-season success that saw them make the playoffs in the last seven seasons. This included a Stanley Cup appearance in 2016-17, to which Ekholm contributed with 11 postseason points (one goal and 10 assists).
“When you think about foundational pieces on our hockey team, Mattias Ekholm is certainly at the top of the list, and we couldn’t be happier to get this deal done with the start of the regular season upon us,” Predators president of hockey operations and general manager David Poile said.
