Predators sign Johansen for 8 years

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — General manager David Poile has made it clear he’s been looking for a top center since he was hired to build the Nashville Predators 20 years ago.

He believes he has just that in Ryan Johansen, and that’s why the Predators rewarded the 24-year-old center Friday with an eight-year, $64 million contract. It’s the biggest deal the franchise has ever handed out.

“I think he is ready to take that next step to become an elite player in the National Hockey League,” Poile said. “Eight years, the money is significant, but we feel we got the right man to be our No. 1 center for a lot of years.”

The Predators now have Johansen under contract at an average of $8 million a year through the 2024-25 season, and linemates Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson are signed for the next five years after Arvidsson signed a seven-year, $29.75 million deal last weekend.

Johansen was taken fourth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL Draft and debuted in Columbus during the 2011-12 season. He amassed 79 goals and 114 assists for 193 points in 309 regular-season games for the Blue Jackets.

For the Predators last season, Johansen, who turns 25 Monday, tied for the team lead in scoring with 61 points over 82 games. He had 13 points in 14 playoff games before acute compartment syndrome ended his postseason in the Western Conference final. Johansen said he is fully recovered and working on conditioning with the team’s strength coach.

Nashville traded for Johansen in January 2016, sending defenseman Seth Jones to Columbus.