Instant Analysis: Preds Sign Sissons to Seven-Year Deal

Colton Sissons is staying in Smashville for the foreseeable future.
The Predators centerman signed a seven-year, $20 million contract on Tuesday which will keep him in Nashville through the 2025-26 season, a deal that negates an arbitration hearing between Sissons and the club that was scheduled for later this week.
"Colton will be an important part of our team for the next seven seasons and we are happy he has made a long-term commitment to our organization and the city the Nashville," Preds General Manager David Poile said. "He's a heart and soul player who is versatile and can fill many important roles on our team, including on the penalty kill and power play. His offensive production has increased each season, and he remains an integral part of our defensive structure down the middle of the ice. Colton is also an up-and-coming leader in our organization, which is something we value strongly."

Selected by the Predators in the 2012 NHL Draft, Sissons has evolved into one of the most reliable skaters on the Nashville roster and has seen his role grow in each subsequent season of his career.
Sissons becomes the latest piece in a long line of Predators players who have committed to remain with the franchise by signing a long-term deal. The goal is to keep as much of the current group together for as long as possible in an effort to win a championship, and Sissons has done his part to leave that window wide open.
Here's some instant analysis on the deal to keep No. 10 in Gold for the next seven seasons.

Offensive Production:
While a number of his teammates are relied upon to put the puck in the net more so than he is, Sissons is no slouch in that department. He has seen his point totals increase in each of his five NHL seasons, and he posted a career-high 15 goals and 30 points through 75 games in 2018-19.
Averaging more than 16 minutes of ice time per night, Sissons excels as a bottom-six forward, but he can slot throughout the lineup if needed. He had also shown a knack for chipping in with secondary scoring, a necessity for any successful club.

Defensive Prowess:
Sissons has become an excellent penalty killer and has helped to lead a Nashville unit that has consistently ranked among the top groups in the NHL over the past few seasons. That includes his prowess in the face-off circle by winning an impressive 55.3 percent and 53.1 percent of his draws over the past two seasons, respectively.
The North Vancouver, British Columbia, native is capable of playing either center or wing, and he's often one of the first over the boards in key situations late in games, even earning votes for the Selke Trophy as the League's top defensive forward two seasons ago.

Quiet Leadership:
A former captain in both Kelowna of the WHL and Milwaukee of the AHL, Sissons has shown leadership capabilities in the past, and he seems primed to do so in the NHL as well. Although he may not currently wear a letter on his jersey, Sissons already leads by example with his consistent play and stellar work ethic.
Sissons has also been involved in the community, including with his holiday outreach efforts each year at Christmastime to help families in need.
Now, with a seven-year deal to his name, Sissons is a prime candidate to be added to Nashville's leadership team in the years to come.