Roman Josi is set to make the big bucks.
Josi, the Predators captain, was going to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2019-20 season but forewent the free-agent hassle and signed an 8-year, $9.059 million AAV contract extension, keeping him in Nashville through 2027-28.
Hey there, Captain 🤩
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) October 29, 2019
(with a special appearance by @RyanJohansen19 😂)#Preds pic.twitter.com/Dyr0MvVboS
The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the deal includes a no-move clause and makes him the third-highest paid defenseman in the NHL, behind San Jose's Erik Karlsson and Los Angeles' Drew Doughty.
Roman Josi has signed an eight-year max deal worth just north of $9 M AAV per season, making him the third-highest paid D in the NHL. Believe the deal also includes a full NMC which Nashville never gives out. Front loaded structure.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 29, 2019
P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils also has a $9 million AAV but his contract is only three years.
“Roman Josi is one of the top defensemen in the National Hockey League and our team leader as captain,” general manager David Poile said. “As he enters his prime, we look forward to Roman continuing to showcase his elite skills in Smashville and guiding our team in pursuit of the ultimate goal, the Stanley Cup.”
The nine-year Predator was drafted by Nashville in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He currently ranks sixth in franchise history for games played with (574) and fourth in points (361) and assists (263).
This season, Josi has five goals and eight assists in 11 games. He is on pace to score 37 goals in an 82-game season, which would blow out his career season-high 15, something he has done twice in his career (2014-15 and 2018-19).