Predators sign Ekholm to two-year contract

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have signed restricted free-agent defenseman Mattias Ekholm to a two-year, $2.075 million contract.

The Predators announced the signing Wednesday. The contract will pay Ekholm $1.0375 million each of the next two seasons.

Ekholm, 24, had one goal and eight assists in 62 games as a rookie last season. He was one of only six NHL defensemen to play at least 50 games and to be assessed 10 or fewer penalty minutes.

He also played one game for the Predators in 2012-13 and appeared in two games with the team in 2011-12.