Viktor Arvidsson has cashed in on his impressive, breakout 2016-17 campaign.
Playing in the final year of his entry-level contract -- and making $640,000 in total salary, according to CapFriendly -- the 5-foot-9 tall Arvidsson erupted for 31 goals and 61 points playing on the top line last season for a Nashville Predators team that eventually made its way to the Stanley Cup Final.
The two sides had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Saturday.
Viktor Arvidsson received a new contract Saturday befitting a breakout star, with the Predators signing the energetic forward to a seven-year, $29.75 million contract, Arvidsson’s agent told The Tennessean.
Few unheralded NHL players last season surprised more than Arvidsson. Expected to be a secondary contributor, Arvidsson erupted offensively with 31 goals and 61 points as part of Nashville’s top line, tying for the team lead in each category.
Update: The Predators have since confirmed the deal, which pays Arvidsson an annual average value of $4.25 million per season, through the 2023-24 season.
Nashville’s general manager David Poile has work remaining this offseason. The Predators still have restricted free agents Ryan Johansen -- another member of that vaunted top line in Nashville -- and Austin Watson left to get under contract.
Watson and the Predators have an arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday. Watson is reportedly seeking $1.4 million in arbitration.
The Predators have roughly $14.5 million in cap space to sign Ryan Johansen, Austin Watson and potentially Mike Fisher.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) July 23, 2017