Ribeiro rejects contract offer from Predators

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Now that the Predators have re-signed forward Mike Fisher to a two-year, $8.8 million contract extension, their attention turns to seeing if forward Mike Ribeiro will also rejoin the team next season.

General manager David Poile said Friday that he made an offer to Ribeiro, which the veteran center rejected.

No counteroffer had been made as of Friday morning, and the two sides will continue to talk with the opening of free agency less than a week away.

According to agent Don Meehan, Ribeiro will entertain interest from other clubs during the NHL's interview period. Meehan was unavailable for comment when reached Friday morning.

Playing on a one-year, $1.05 million contract last season, Ribeiro scored 62 points, one behind linemate Filip Forsberg for the team lead. The 35-year-old has indicated that he'd prefer a longer-term contract.

"We're both flexible and open-minded to more than one year," Poile said. "The most important thing is does he want to play in Nashville more than he wants to play anywhere else? I can only offer what I think is right and fair snd what we have available. He has to make a decision whether this fits for he and his family, just like he did last year."

Ribeiro said in April that he "would love to be back" in Nashville, but Poile is prepared in case an agreement can't be reached.

"There's always Plan A, B and C in this situation, so if Mike's not going to sign with us, we already have other things in the works," Poile said.

Reach Adam Vingan at 615-259-8023 and on Twitter @AdamVingan