Ellis says he took less to allow Predators to keep core together

Ryan Ellis had more than just his own interests in mind when he agreed to an eight-year, $50-million contract extension earlier this week.

"I'm getting paid more than enough to play hockey," the Nashville Predators defenseman told reporters Thursday. "It was just about coming across a fair deal that would work for both sides. We have other guys that need to be re-upped and need to be signed in the future, and I had to do my part to keep this thing going in the right direction."

Ellis is entering the final season of the five-year, $12.5-million pact he inked with the club in 2014, which carries a cap hit of $2.5 million. His new cap hit will be $6.25 million beginning in 2019-20.

He likely could've commanded more money had he chosen to enter free agency next summer, but he felt giving the Predators a little cap flexibility would help them remain Stanley Cup contenders for years to come.

"If we can keep everyone here and keep the core together, I think we can compete for a Stanley Cup for the next 10 years, at least," Ellis said. "That's bold to say, but I think we believe a lot in the people that we have in our room … and I just really wanted to be a part of it."

Nashville has about $7.6 million in cap space with no remaining free agents. However, franchise goaltender Pekka Rinne has one year left before hitting unrestricted free agency, talented defenseman Roman Josi has two years remaining on his deal, and gifted young forward Kevin Fiala is one year away from restricted free agency.