In the Nick of Time

Free Agency Frency 2024 has mostly cooled off. Ottawa was very active in free agency once again this year. Rumors suggest the club tendered competitive upwards to more than 25 players. Ultimately, when the dust settled, 11 new faces joined the Senators this summer, hoping their impact will be felt this year and for many years to come for some of them. GM Noddan's big $50 million committment this year again reinforced Ottawa's desire to field a strong team and to invest in their on-ice product.

Introducing Ottawa's 2024 free agent class, by total contract value:

Nick Leddy
Pos: Defense | Age: 33
4 years x $3.75M AAV ($17,500,000 Total)
Last Year: 82 GP | 5 G | 12 A | -26 | 20:28 ATOI (St. Louis, San Jose)

Headlining this year's class is Nick Leddy, a veteran big minute no-nonsense defenseman who will stabilize the team's top 4. Leddy has been oppressed and exploited by the St. Louis Blues for 3 years under the management of a GM would seemed to do everything in his power to cause his own team to lose games. His +/- is not a fair reflection of his defensive contributions, and Ottawa is hoping being part of a competitive team can reignite his passion and elevate his game even further.

Nick Foligno
Pos: Forward | Age: 36
4 years x $2.0M AAV ($10,600,000 Total)
Last Year: 82 GP | 10 G | 13 A | +6 | 15:05 ATOI (Ottawa)

Nick Foligno relinquishes his role with the Senators, signing a 4 year deal at a team friendly $2 million AAV. Foligno has been a valuable member of the Senators since signing with the team 3 years ago in free agency. Playing up and down the lineup, his physical, veteran presence was felt in 249 regular season and playoff games for Ottawa. He elevated his play down the stretch last season, eventually moving up to the top line during the team's playoff run. This performance gave GM Noddan confidence that Foligno still has plenty left in the tank, and he will be called upon to be a key contributor next season.

Michael Amadio
Pos: Forward | Age: 28
4 years x $1.875M AAV ($7,500,000 Total)
Last Year: 55 GP | 7 G | 5 A | +0 | 10:44 ATOI (Ottawa)

Another returnee, Michael Amadio was acquired by the Senators in a pre-season trade with Tampa Bay last year. He suited up for 55 regular season games for Ottawa, but ultimately lost his spot in the lineup after the trade deadline. At 28, Amadio is young for a UFA, and Ottawa hopes he can be an effective bottom 6 forward for the next 4 years.

TJ Oshie
Pos: Right Wing | Age: 37
4 years x $775k AAV ($3,100,000 Total)
Last Year: 82 GP | 24 G | 22 A | -9 | 15:30 ATOI (Philadelphia)

TJ Oshie is a veteran winger whose scoring touch and physicality remains even if he may have lost a step. He scored 24 goals with the Flyers last year and played a key role in the Flyers' deep playoff run. Look for him to start the year on Ottawa's 3rd line this fall. Some would suggest the injury bug has finally caught up to Oshie, but the Senators appear optimistc this is not the case. Alternatively, perhaps the 4 year contract structure is a pointed protest of the league's rules.

Jack Johnson
Pos: Defense | Age: 37
2 years x $1.0M AAV ($3,000,000 Total)
TWO-WAY CONTRACT
Last Year: 78 GP | 1 G | 6 A | +7 | 16:27 ATOI (Philadelphia)

Johnson is a veteran defenseman who likely slots into the team's 3rd pair next season.

Kyle Okposo
Pos: Right Wing | Age: 36
1 year x $2.0M AAV ($2,000,000 Total)
NO TRADE CLAUSE
Last Year: 84 GP | 10 G | 2 A | -3 | 8:26 ATOI (Dallas, Vegas)

Another short-term veteran contract, Okposo provides Ottawa some scoring options in its bottom 6.

Jacob MacDonald
Pos: Defense | Age: 31
2 years x $1.0M AAV ($2,000,000 Total)
TWO-WAY CONTRACT
Last Year: 14 GP | 0 G | 1 A | -5 | 9:01 ATOI (Boston)

Jacob MacDonald is unlikely to dress for many games next season, but he provides cheap defensive depth and injury coverage for Ottawa.

The final four contracts were signed to younger players turning pro in North American this year:

Valtteri Pulli
Pos: Defense | Age: 23
2 years x $950k AAV ($1,905,000 Total)
ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT
Last Year: TPS (Liiga)

Jesper Vikman
Pos: Goalie | Age: 22
2 years x $775k AAV ($1,550,000 Total)
ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT
Last Year: Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Ondrej Pavel
Pos: Centre | Age: 23
1 year x $950k AAV ($955,000 Total)
ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT
Last Year: Minnesota State University, Mankato (NCAA)

Wilmer Skoog
Pos: Center | Age: 25
1 year x $775k AAV ($775,000 Total)
TWO-WAY CONTRACT
Last Year: Boston University (NCAA)