Ottawa Senators Sign Matt Puempel to Two-Way Contract
By Ian Smith
The Ottawa Senators have made another transaction to secure their depth for next season. They have agreed to a two-way contract with Matt Puempel for 1 year.
The NHL portion of his contract is worth $900,000. The AHL part of the deal is worth $75,000.
The Senators have handed out 8 two-way contracts this offseason. Michael Kostka, Casey Bailey, Max McCormick, Phil Varone, Craig Nehring, and Michael Blunden were signed to them the first day of free agency.
As free agency prolonged, Fredrik Claesson and Ryan Dzingel also eventually got two-way contracts from the Senators.
In terms of NHL money, Puempel has the most lucrative contract of any of these players who have been signed to two-way contracts with the Senators this offseason.
In 20 games with Ottawa last year, Puempel scored 2 goals and dished out 1 assist. In 39 career NHL games, he has 4 goals and 2 assists.
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Although he’s not a great defensive forward, Puempel has proven to be a talented goal scorer at the AHL level. In 170 career games with the Binghamton Senators, Puempel has 60 goals.
Puempel is in a similar situation as Dzingel, being left-handed shooters who will be called upon to provide left wing depth.
Dzingel had 9 points in 30 games with Ottawa last season, while Puempel had 3 points in 26 games.
As of now, that increased productivity probably gives Dzingel the edge over Puempel for the last left wing spot.
Nick Paul is also a candidate expected to assert himself within that discussion. The big, physical winger acquired in the Jason Spezza trade will attempt to secure a spot in the lineup as well.
Puempel is a former 1st round pick for the Senators, drafted 24th overall in 2011. This new contract allows him the opportunity to be able to polish his game in the AHL and contribute in the NHL when called upon.
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Puempel will surely see some time at left wing in Ottawa this season, and hopefully he can translate his goal scoring talents from the AHL to the NHL.