Predators sign Dumont to four-year extension

File photo shows Nashville Predators J.P. Dumont passing the puck past the Colorado Avalanche during second period NHL hockey action in Nashville, Tennessee, January 1, 2007. The Predators signed the forward to a four-year, $16-million contract extension the NHL club said on Friday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Nashville Predators signed forward J.P. Dumont to a four-year, $16-million contract extension the NHL club said on Friday.

Dumont, who is riding a franchise record 16-game point-scoring streak, is second in team scoring with 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) trailing Jason Arnott by one point.

"J.P. Dumont's commitment, leadership, work ethic and reputation as a big-game performer has helped him fit perfectly into the Predators culture since he came to Nashville by choice as an unrestricted free agent prior to the 2006-07 season," said Predators general manager David Poile on the team's Web site (predators.nhl.com).

"When he expressed a desire to stay in Nashville, we jumped at the opportunity to keep him as part of our team's foundation for the next four seasons."

Taken with the third overall pick by the New York Islanders in the 1996 draft, Dumont has posted 20-goal campaigns in five of the last six seasons and has compiled 160 goals and 367 points in a career that has included stints with Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto, Editing by Clare Fallon)