Ottawa Senators give Morgan Klimchuk one-year extension

LAVAL, QC - MARCH 08: Morgan Klimchuk #18 of the Toronto Marlies skates against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 8, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - MARCH 08: Morgan Klimchuk #18 of the Toronto Marlies skates against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 8, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The Ottawa Senators today announced that forward Morgan Klimchuk has signed a one-year contract extension with the organisation.

The one-year extension will see Morgan Klimchuk remain in the Ottawa Senators system, after making eight regular-season appearances in the AHL with the Belleville Senators last season.

In those eight games with the B-Sens, Klimchuk registered four goals and a further assist – making him a promising piece for the AHL team’s playoff hunt next season.

A former first round (28th overall) selection by the Calgary Flames in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Klimchuk has so far struggled to reach the NHL and has become a regular in the minors.

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Since the 2013/14 season, the 24-year-old Regina, Saskatchewan native has made 225 regular season appearances in the AHL, playing for the Abbotsford/Stockton Heat and Toronto Marlies before making his way to Belleville in a trade that saw Gabriel Gagne head to Toronto.

The cost of Klimchuk’s new deal is exceptionally low for the Senators, costing them just $700,000 if he manages to make the NHL roster, with the two-way deal only holding a value of $85,000 if he plays in the minors – which he is expected to do.

Klimchuk’s production for the B-Sens in such a short time was promising for the Senators organisation, with the former first-round draft pick having an outside opportunity of making the NHL roster if he can maintain his scoring rate.

With the Ottawa Senators entering a rebuild, there will be plenty of spaces available for players to compete and, while he has never truly looked like cracking an NHL roster, Klimchuk could put himself in the conversation.

The organisation has a number of free agents to make decisions on this summer and it is interesting to see Klimchuk get a deal done before the likes of Anthony Duclair, who seemingly impressed during his time in the Canadian capital.

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What do you think Sens fans? Are you pleased to see Klimchuk locked up for another season? Which other free agents do you think are deserving of new deals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!