In 2023, Fabian Zetterlund was traded by the New Jersey Devils to the San Jose Sharks in part of the Timo Meier trade. On a bad Sharks team is where Zetterlund showed his potential in the NHL.
In 168 career games with the Sharks, Zetterlund recorded 83 points. In the 2023-24 season, Zetterlund's 24 goals, 20 assists and 44 points were all career highs for a single season. In March 2025, Zetterlund's tenure in San Jose ended when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline.
Zetterlund had some struggles after being traded to the Senators, but the team was still able to make the 2025 playoffs with him on the team. At 25 years old, Zetterlund still has potential to grow his game, and the Senators know it.
Zetterlund signs three-year extension with Senators
Although he recorded five points in 20 games with the Senators after being traded to the team, Zetterlund and the Senators agreed on a three-year extension at $4.275 million per year this morning.
Deadline-acquired Fabian Zetterlund is signing a 3 x $4.275M extension in Ottawa
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 19, 2025
Zetterlund was a restricted free agent after the 2025 playoffs. Now, general manager Steve Staios took care of another player to re-sign this Summer.
Potential is still there for Zetterlund at his age. Zetterlund had struggles with the Senators, but had to get used to a new team and system in a short amount of time.
A full season in 2025-26 can give Zetterlund new hope with playing in head coach Travis Green's system. Zetterlund has three years to show he has potential to be part of Ottawa's core for more years down the road.
Zetterlund recorded four points in the final six games of the regular season in April. During that six-game span, Zetterlund scored two goals in a three-game span.
Got the monkey off the back and we've one goal game! 🐒#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/9oTMMWzU0Z
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 9, 2025
Earlier this month, the Senators re-signed Tyler Kleven to a two-year extension. Kleven was a restricted free agent just like Zetterlund. Now, both of them are locked up for years to come.
A risk the Senators can have with Zetterlund signed until 2028 is his contract runs out the same year Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot both do. However, Zetterlund signed for three years shows the Senators are ready to see what he brings.