Forward Craig Smith signed a five-year, $21.25 million contract with the Nashville Predators on Monday.

Smith and the Predators had a salary arbitration hearing Monday, then agreed to a contract, according to Sportsnet.

"As evidenced by his back-to-back 20-goal seasons and performance in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Craig Smith is an integral part of our team's young core and we are pleased to have agreed on a long-term contract that both parties are comfortable with,” Predators president and general manager David Poile said in a statement. "With Craig's durability, work ethic and intensity, we see him continuing the build on his recent production and be a valuable contributor to our offensive attack for the next five seasons."

Smith, 25, had 23 goals and 21 assists in 82 regular-season games last season. He had two goals and three assists in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Nashville's fourth-round pick (No. 98) at the 2009 NHL Draft, Smith has 65 goals and 79 assists in 277 games.