With contract resolved, Predators' Smith raring to go

Craig Smith is armed with a long-term contract and a desire to build off one of the best seasons in Nashville Predators history.

The 25-year-old center followed up career highs of 24 goals and 52 points two seasons ago with 23 goals and 44 points in 2014-15, and Nashville rewarded him Monday with a five-year, $21.25 million contract shortly after a salary arbitration hearing.

"The Preds wanting to do a five-year [contract] is a testament to their confidence in my ability," Smith told the Predators website Tuesday. "Once you have that as a player, and you know you're wanted, it feels good to hear they think you can produce, but it's also a lot of responsibility. I believe I'm ready to take that on, and I'm excited to go into next year and score goals and win a lot."

Nashville won a lot last season, 47 times to be exact, and its 104 points placed the Predators second in the ultra-competitive Central Division. Their return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after two seasons on the outside ended with a six-game loss to the eventual Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference First Round.

"I think everyone thought about it on the day it was over, until now and even into next season," said Smith, who scored twice, including the decisive goal, in a 6-2 win in Game 2. "But that being said, I think a big part of the team we were playing was that they had a lot of experience. For us to be there as a young group, to go through it and get a taste of things, in a sense it can make you mad that we had a great chance at winning and we didn't. That's great motivation to go into next season to handle the season correctly and know what we need to do to get to that point again.

"With a young motivated group, now with some experience, that's huge, that's what you want. It's going to be big to get off to great start, get into the season and get going."

The Predators selected Smith in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2009 NHL Draft, and after spending two seasons at the University of Wisconsin, he debuted with them in 2011-12. Smith scored 14 goals and had 36 points as a rookie before struggling in 2012-13, but he's emerged as a reliable source of offense the past two seasons.

In the past month, Nashville re-signed forwards Mike Ribeiro and Mike Fisher and added forward Cody Hodgson and defenseman Barret Jackman via free agency, leaving Smith eager to sign and ensure he'll stay a part of the Predators' plans for the future.

"I love the staff, the players and the organization in Nashville. I've been there since the start of my career, so it's a place where I feel comfortable and one I call home," Smith said. "I'd like to be there for a while. I absolutely see the group moving forward in the right direction. Last year was a testament to that, and I like the additions we made this summer. With the group we have and the experience we've added, I really see us getting off to another great start next season."