Ottawa Senators lock up Colin White for six more years

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 01: Colin White #36 of the Ottawa Senators warms up prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Canadian Tire Centre on April 1, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 01: Colin White #36 of the Ottawa Senators warms up prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Canadian Tire Centre on April 1, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Ottawa Senators have locked up restricted free agent forward Colin White to a long-term contract, the team announced today.

Colin White, the last of the Ottawa Senators restricted free agents, is now tied to the team until 2025, holding an AAV of just $4.75 million.

Just prior to the team’s official press release, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed on Twitter that the team and White were close to securing the deal that was announced.

White had a breakout season for the Senators in 2018/19, registering 14 goals and 41 total points – good enough to receive the 11th most votes for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

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The Boston native’s emergence last season has had fans eagerly awaiting his new contract extension, with the belief that he can be one of the team’s top forwards moving forward through the rebuild.

A cap hit of just $4.75 million for six years is exceptional value for the Senators, who truly believe that White can play top-six minutes as early as this season.

The 21st overall selection by the Senators in the 2015 NHL Draft has taken a while to develop into the NHL-quality player he is today, initially taking his talents to Boston College before requiring a season in the AHL.

His impressive rookie campaign was a bright spark on a team that needed some positivity after seeing so many popular faces depart at the trade deadline.

According to DailyFaceoff, White projects to be the Sens’ top-line centre this season, with Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson projected to play on either side of him.

A partnership with the likes of Tkachuk and Batherson will help the Ottawa Senators in the long-run and could see White develop into a truly top tier talent in the league.

Having a strong core of young players emerging is a positive sign for the Senators organisation and having White secured for so long will be a nice safety blanket that fans will undoubtedly be pleased with.

Next. Know your prospects: Drake Batherson. dark

What do you think Sens fans? Are you glad to see White’s deal wrapped up? What are your thoughts on the term and the dollar amount? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!