NHL: Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen signs 8-year, $64M deal

The Nashville Predators re-signed restricted free agent center Ryan Johansen to an eight-year, $64 million contract Friday.

The deal will pay Johansen an average of $8 million annually through the 2024-25 season, the team announced.

Johansen, who turns 25 on July 31, co-led the Predators in scoring during the 2016-17 campaign with 61 points while appearing in all 82 games, recording 14 goals and 47 assists.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound native of Vancouver, British Columbia, added three goals and 13 points in 14 games during Nashville's postseason run before being sidelined due to a hit to his left thigh during Game 4 of the Western Conference final against the Anaheim Ducks on May 18.

The injury required emergency surgery to treat acute compartment syndrome of the left thigh. His recovery was expected to take two to three months and he is likely will be a full participant at training camp in September.

Johansen was acquired by the Predators on Jan. 6, 2016, from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has appeared in 124 regular-season games with Nashville, totaling 95 points (22 goals, 73 assists) during that span. He also has 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 28 postseason contests with Nashville.

Johansen appeared in all 82 games in three of the last four seasons, recording 60 or more points in four consecutive seasons and at least 45 assists in each of the last three campaigns.

Johansen appeared in the 2015 All-Star Game and set a career-high 71 points during the 2014-15 season. He was the fourth overall selection in the 2010 draft.