The Ottawa Senators announced Friday afternoon they have signed defender Ben Harpur to a two-year deal. Ben Harpur signs a one-way contract which kicks into effect starting in the 2018-19 season. It carries an AAV of $725,000 dollars per season, with a two year total of $1.45 million dollars.
News Release: #Sens sign defenceman Ben Harpur to a two-year contract extension: https://t.co/G2IcGO7XEN
Communiqué : Les #Sens accordent un contrat de deux ans au défenseur Ben Harpur : https://t.co/Uu2LjPVTnm
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 9, 2018
Ottawa Senators Sign Ben Harpur to Two-Year Extension
Harpur, 23, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Senators in 2013. He was selected 108th overall. Although Harpur has yet to make the Senators roster as a regular player, he’s shown flashes. This season, Harpur has nine points in 16 games played in the AHL, recording two goals and seven assists. He’s played 20 games for the Senators this year, tallying only one assist. Harpur has played been used up and down the lineup with the Sens. Last season, Harpur played 63 games with the Binghamton Senators, scoring two goals and 25 assists for 27 points.
Harpur will be given every opportunity to be a regular on the Senators blueline next season. The Senators clearly like what they see of the defender, and want to explore having him as a regular.
Extension Signifies That Changes Are Coming
By offering a one-way deal, management is hinting that Harpur could be a full-time roster player next season. One of the only ways this could become a reality, is if the Senators ship out some defenders they have right now.
The Senators are looking to dump off large contract at this year’s trade deadline. One name that has been swirling around is Dion Phaneuf. It has been reported that the biggest interest in the 32-year-old has come from the Los Angeles Kings. It’s believed Kings general manager Rob Blake would only go ahead with the move if the Sens retained part of Phaneuf’s salary.
In the light of Ben Harpur receiving an extension, Sens management could be hinting a big sale could occur on their blueline.
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