NASHVILLE, TN—The Preds locked up Ryan Johansen, a center of two years, on Friday, July 28 for the next eight years. The 25 year-old closed a deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $8 million, which adds up to $64 million for this coming season through 2024-2025.

Johansen is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, stands at 6 feet and 3 inches tall, and weighs 218 pounds. Last season with Nashville (to whom he was traded by Columbus on January 6, 2016 after four full seasons with the Blue Jackets), he appeared in all 82 games and had 61 points (14 goals and a career-peaking 47 assists), 60 penalty minutes, and a plus-1 rating. In 14 playoff games, Johansen added 13 points (three goals and 10 assists), 12 penalty minutes, and a plus-12 rating. This past season marked the first time in team history that the Preds qualified for the Stanley Cup Finals. They eliminated the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Final, during which Johansen was benched for a thigh injury.

Last season, Johansen hit a face-off circle career peak; he won 54.55 percent of draws in the regular season and 54.28 percent in the playoffs.

Selected fourth overall by Columbus in 2010, Johansen’s six-year career totals include 433 regular season games, 288 points (101 goals and 187 assists), 240 penalty minutes, and a minus-5 rating. He has made 34 career playoff appearances and collected 27 points (nine goals and 18 assists), 32 penalty minutes, and a plus-10 rating.

Before his NHL debut with Columbus in 2011, Johansen played for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and the Portland Winterhawks (WHL). During the 2012-2013 season, he played 40 games with the Springfield Falcons (AHL) in conjunction with the Blue Jackets.

After re-signing, the Preds’ co-leader in points this year gave a shout out to loved ones, “This is probably one of the best days of my life right now. I’m just so thankful for my family and my brother and friends, They’ve done everything they can to guide me in the right direction and teach me and learn from.”

He also spoke about the signing, “It was very clear to both sides working on this deal that this was the best place to be. This is where I belong. This is where I want to play. There’s no better staff, management, team, group of guys, friends, place to live, city, fans, there’s a whole list. There’s no better place to be right now.”