The Ottawa Senators have signed Josh Brown to a two-year, $1.2 million AAV contract. The deal carries him through the 2021-22 season.
Senators Sign Brown to Contract
Brown was recently acquired from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Brown, a 26-year-old Ontario native, has played 93 games over his career. Spread among two seasons, the young defender has scored 10 points in that time frame. A sixth-round pick in 2013, Brown has been playing in the Panthers system since being drafted. A two-way defender, Brown has scored 27 points at the AHL level in 170 games.
He has not proven to be the most consistent player at the NHL level. However, this past season he saw a significant uptick in playing time, dressing for 56 of Florida’s 69 total games in the 2019-20 season. Brown fills a much-needed hole on the Senators blue line. Last season the team had one of the worst defensive groups. Entering an offseason with two top-five draft picks, and just under $40 million in cap space, bringing in defenders was key to the team’s long term plan.
What This Means for the Future
Brown is one of many Senators defenders that could play a significant role in the upcoming campaign. Alongside him, the Senators have Erik Brannstrom who could slot into the lineup, as well as the potential to draft a top prospect in Jamie Drysdale with one of their first-round picks. They also have their star-defender, Thomas Chabot, who is entering the first year of an $8 million AAV contract. Brown will look to slot into the top four next season. With the Senators in the middle of a lengthy rebuild, Brown will get a huge opportunity to earn his way a longer-term deal and be a part of the solution for Ottawa. . The Senators have plenty of cap space to work with, and signing a young blue-liner like Brown is a perfect move for the franchise.
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