Rumor: Nashville Predators Not Trading Defenseman

Mattias Ekholm was one of the hottest names on the trade market this past regular season as the Nashville Predators were gauging the market on their veteran defenseman. Turns out their direction has since changed and they kept Ekholm in the fold to end the season, and are looking to extending him long term.

According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, both Ekholm's camp and Predators management have mutual interest to get a contract extension done and by all accounts it sounds like that's going to happen sometime this summer.

This season the 31-year-old defenseman recorded 23 points in 48 games and made $3.75 million. It's likely his new deal begins with a 5 and is in the ball park of three to five years.

Look for the Predators to go with the 8-skater route for the expansion draft and once again protect Ekholm from the NHL's newest team. As LeBrun points out, there could also be a trade days before the expansion draft to ensure he stays in Nashville.

Get ready for the busiest summer in NHL history.

Photo credit:  James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports