Mike Ribeiro relieved to stay with Predators

Mike Ribeiro's intention was always to re-sign with the Predators, though the past few weeks have been admittedly stressful.

Nashville made a contract offer that he found to be "a little bit low," and the two sides continued to work toward an extension that would be mutually beneficial.

They finally agreed to terms Wednesday in the form of a two-year, $7 million extension, one that Ribeiro described as a "last-minute signing."

"It feels great," Ribeiro said. "I'm really happy that both sides are happy about the contract and (can) move forward from here now."

The contract will pay Ribeiro $3.5 million per year, a significant raise from the $1.05 million he made last season.

Ribeiro rejuvenated his on-ice career last season, scoring 62 points as the Predators' first-line center. He and linemate Filip Forsberg were the Predators' first pair of 60-point scorers since the 2007-08 season.

That sort of production drew interest from other teams when the NHL's interview period opened last week. Ribeiro said that four to five teams reached out to his agent, but his priority was to remain in Nashville.

"It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to sign here, first and foremost," Ribeiro said. "It didn't really matter, the other teams. It would have been hard for me to move again, so my goal was to sign here and really find a fair deal for both sides.

"(General manager David Poile) was supportive of me last year, he believed in me. (Head coach Peter Laviolette), too. My teammates, my family was happy here, so it was almost common sense to stay here. ... It didn't really matter how much more I could make on the market. It was really just staying here (that) was the important thing."

In July 2014, the veteran center signed a one-year contract with the Predators after having his four-year contract with the Coyotes bought out for what Arizona general manager Don Maloney called "behavioral issues." Poile warned Ribeiro that there would be zero tolerance for any sort of misbehavior.

During what many called a redemptive season for Ribeiro, he was named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by his former nanny, who alleged that the 35-year-old sexually assaulted her in 2012. Public opinion turned against the Predators, who have been steadfast in their support of Ribeiro.

"I think the most important thing is that you've got (an) organization that believes in you and wants the best for you and your family," Ribeiro said. "There's not a lot that can match that. ... I think that goes a long way. For me it was important to make my family really comfortable and it's great. I appreciate a lot what (Poile) is doing for me and my family."

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