Patrick Wiercioch Signs 3 Year Deal, Cowen Only RFA Left

Restricted Free Agent Patrick Wiercioch has signed a 3 year contract extension that will pay him $6M over the term of the deal.

Apr. 5, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (46) takes a shot on goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Wiercioch, who had 5 goals and 14 assists in 40 games last season, will be a contender for the top 4 defenseman spot and power play time vacated by Sergei Gonchar.  He just completed his 3 year entry level deal, and has had one season of full-time NHL duty under his belt.  He was one of 9 Senators players to score their first career goal as a member of the Senators last season.

That leaves just Jared Cowen, who could very well end up being Wiercioch’s partner next season, as the only remaining piece of the Senators puzzle to need a contract.  Cowen is also a RFA, having completed his entry level deal.  Cowen missed a vast majority of the season with a hip injury, which may affect his final price for next season.  He played only 7 regular season games and all 10 playoff games for the Senators, the latest in a long line of serious injuries for the young blueliner.  Cowen might have to take a shorter term contract to prove his durability and start to really live up to his potential this season before getting a longer-term, bigger-money deal.