The Ottawa Senators have signed current restricted free agent (RFA) goaltender Mads Sogaard to a two-year contract. This contract is structured in such a way that it allows Sogaard to continue to develop and still make use of the other goalies in the system. The deal is a two-way contract for the first year, but changes to a one-way deal for 2025-26. It could spell an excellent opportunity for Sogaard at that time. The contract will be valued at $775,000 in the NHL and $225,000 if he’s down in the AHL.
The first year of the contract will be two-way, while the second year will be one-way.
The contract is worth $775,000 in the NHL and $225,000 in the AHL. https://t.co/PSp1qLEyoz— Brent Wallace (@localpodcaster) July 15, 2024
The Ottawa Senators Sign Mads Sogaard to a Two-Year Contract
Sogaard was an RFA this year, and the Senators organization remains high on him as a prospect. Going back a bit now, but it was part of the logic of being able to move on from Filip Gustavsson when they did. Furthermore, looking at his stats now, Sogaard is starting to prove why he is deserving of the status of highly-regarded NHL goaltender prospect.
A Look at His Stats
It has not been a linear increase in Sogaard’s stats over the years, going back to being selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by Ottawa. His draft season saw him post a 19-8-2 record with a .921 SV% with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. However, the next season those standings both slipped to 21-13-2, with a .908 SV%. Although it likely a by-product of the team in-front of him. But when it comes to the NHL, sometimes those excuses don’t cut it. Regardless of the team in-front of you, you still need to produce.
Since turning pro, at times Sogaard has struggled with injury and inconsistency. He went from 35 games and a .908 SV% for the Belleville Senators in 2021-22, and then only a .893 SV% the following season. He played less, with 22 games, but that was because of the time he spent in Ottawa. In contrast, his 2023-24 was him starting to establish himself as a solid AHLer. He posted a .916 SV% with a 2.45 GAA and two shutouts, to go along with his record of 18-9-3. This is why the Sens remain high on him. Also, he has seemed to quash the injury and inconsistency problems to some degree. Overall his NHL numbers leave some to be desired, but are somewhat expected of a goalie still trying to fully graduate from the AHL level. For Ottawa, he has 27 career games, sporting a 10-10-3 record with a 3.44 GAA and a .884 SV%.
What Will He Mean for the Ottawa Senators in Net
Sogaard turns 24 in December, so it is becoming time to show he can translate his success to the NHL. Moreover, this contract eases him into that opportunity. At this point, it will be interesting to see what the Senators do in net. Newly acquired potential star goalie, Linus Ullmark, only has one year left on his contract. In addition, his expected backup for 2024-25, Anton Forsberg, also only has one year remaining on his current contract. Depending on a number of factors, most notably Sogaard’s continued positive development in 2024-25, he could factor into the Sens goal big-time, especially so come 2025-26. Along with the one-way deal as a push in that direction for both player and club, alike.
Main photo: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
