The Ottawa Senators continue to build their roster ahead of the 2019/20 season with the free agent signing of defenceman Ron Hainsey.
Ron Hainsey joins the Ottawa Senators after playing for new head coach D.J. Smith during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 38-year-old will cost the Senators $3.5 million on a one-year contract, most likely serving as a guiding force for the team’s promising young prospects.
Hainsey, who was a first-round selection in the 2000 Draft, made his debut in the NHL back in the 2002/03 season.
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Since then, he has made 1068 regular season appearances while spending spells with seven different clubs, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup championship in 2017 – a playoff series that saw the Senators come within a goal of defeating the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Despite his advanced age, Hainsey averaged over 20 minutes of ice time with the Maple Leafs last season, often being utilised on the first pair alongside Morgan Rielly.
Hainsey is a competent penalty killing defenceman that plays a stay-at-home style, often playing on the right side despite being a left-handed shooter.
His familiarity with D.J. Smith and his defensive system should help the veteran blueliner adjust to his new surroundings fairly quickly and his leadership qualities will do wonders for the likes of Erik Brannstrom and even Thomas Chabot over the next season.
His ability to mentor the team’s young players and his cap hit helping the team reach the cap floor are likely viewed as valuable aspects of the veteran.
His cap hit does suggest he could have a significant role in the Senators’ defensive corps, potentially partnering newly-acquired Nikita Zaitsev on the second pair.
Partnering the offensive-minded Zaitsev with the shut-down style of Hainsey could benefit the Sens, allowing the Russian more freedom to play further up the ice while having the safety net of the veteran American sitting deeper.
NHL Free Agency is just starting to heat up and the Ottawa Senators are already making big moves in an attempt to set their roster ahead of the new season.
What are your thoughts then, Sens fans? Are you pleased with the addition of Hainsey? Do you have concerns about his role on the team? How about his cap hit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!