(Sports Network) - Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash was signed to an eight-year extension on Friday through the 2017-18 season.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Nash's deal is worth a total of $62.4 million and is an annual salary cap hit of $7.8 million for the Blue Jackets. He'll earn $7 million for the upcoming season, the last year of his current contract. Nash will then make $7.5 million in 2010-11, according to the Dispatch, and the deal escalates until he makes $8.2 million in 2017-18.

"Rick is a Blue Jacket. He is our captain, the foundation of our team and one of the elite players in the National Hockey League," said team general manager Scott Howson. "We are very happy that he will continue to call Columbus home for many years to come. This is an important and exciting day for our franchise and our fans."

The 25-year-old Nash, who is captain of the team, had 40 goals and 39 assists over 78 games last season. The first overall pick of the 2002 draft, Nash has spent his entire six-season NHL career playing for Columbus and has a franchise-record 194 goals to go with 161 assists over 441 games.

This past season, Nash helped Columbus to its first-ever postseason berth, although the Blue Jackets were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the opening round.

Nash won the Maurice Richard Trophy for the most goals in the league with 41 during the 2003-04 season, which happened to be the first of his four All-Star appearances.







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