The Nashville Predators announced Friday they have signed defenseman Dante Fabbro to a one-year contract extension worth $2.5 million.

Fabbro, 25, was due to become a restricted free agent this summer, which means the Predators would have had to send him a qualifying offer of at least $2.5 million, his salary for the 2023-24 season.

Friday's signing avoids the restricted free agency process for both parties, which could have included arbitration. He filed for arbitration in summer 2021, though the two sides agreed to a contract before a hearing took place.

Dante Fabbro extends his career in Nashville

Taken by the Predators in the first round of the 2016 draft out of Boston University, Fabbro made his NHL debut on March 30, 2018, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has scored 71 points in 304 NHL games for Nashville.

Known as a two-way defenseman, he has been a regular since 2022. His defensive game has developed notably, and he has built a good chemistry with Roman Josi the past couple of seasons.

Fabbro signed a two-year deal worth $4.8 million in 2021, then a one-year deal worth $2.5 million in 2023. Friday's deal keeps him in Nashville until 2025, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dante Fabbro stays with Nashville Predators on 1-year, $2.5M deal