In a decisive move that solidifies their forward group, the Ottawa Senators have signed restricted free agent Fabian Zetterlund to a three-year, $12.825 million contract extension. The deal, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $4.275 million, is a significant vote of confidence in the 25-year-old winger and a piece of smart, proactive business by General Manager Steve Staios.
From my perspective, this isn’t just a simple re-signing; it’s a strategic investment in a player whose style is precisely what the Senators need more of. When you look past the core group of high-skill players, the identity of this team is still being forged. Zetterlund brings a tenacious, high-motor game that is infectious. He’s a player who drives the net, wins puck battles in the corners, and has a deceptively quick release—all traits that will undoubtedly raise the competitive temperature of the entire lineup.
Why This Fabian Zetterlund Contract is a Win for Ottawa
The value of this contract lies in its term and AAV. At $4.275 million, Zetterlund slots in behind the Senators’ top earners like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Josh Norris, but ahead of other key middle-six forwards. This positions him appropriately as a crucial secondary scorer without handcuffing the team’s future salary cap flexibility. It’s a bridge deal that buys out one year of unrestricted free agency, giving the Senators cost certainty through Zetterlund’s prime years. If he outperforms the deal, which I suspect he will, it becomes one of the best value contracts in the league.
Let’s not forget the context of his arrival. Acquired from the San Jose Sharks before the NHL trade deadline, Zetterlund was brought in to bolster the offense for a playoff push. While his production of 5 points in 20 regular-season games with Ottawa wasn’t eye-popping, that was a small sample size for a player adjusting to a new city and a new system on the fly. The front office is clearly banking on the player who potted a career-high 24 goals for a struggling Sharks team in 2023-24, believing a full training camp under coach Travis Green will unlock that consistent scoring touch within Ottawa’s top-nine.
A Perfect Complement to the Core
This move is about more than just one player; it’s about roster construction. Zetterlund isn’t just another skilled forward; he’s a different type of forward. He brings a level of sandpaper and offensive assertiveness that will create space for playmakers like Stutzle and Claude Giroux. His north-south game is a direct contrast to some of the east-west creativity on the roster, providing a much-needed tactical balance.
For a team that struggled with consistency and finishing, adding a player who scored 19 goals last season split between two clubs provides a significant boost to the offensive floor. This is the kind of savvy, foundational move that winning teams make—securing valuable, prime-age players on reasonable terms before they hit the open market. This contract signals that Staios isn’t just hunting for stars; he’s building a complete, competitive hockey team.
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