At the 2019 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings drafted defenseman Jordan Spence with the 95th overall pick. Less than one month ago, Spence's tenure in the City of Angels ended.
On day two of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Kings traded away Spence to the Ottawa Senators. At 24 years old, Spence is destined to grow more in Ottawa and is eager for a fresh start.
As of now, Spence is set to become a restricted free agent after 2026 with a salary of $1.5 million for the 2025-26 season. Spence delivering a solid 2025-26 season could convince the Senators to sign him for more years to come, and he has potential to be part of the long-term plan.
Projecting a Spence contract extension in Ottawa if he delivers
In the 2024-25 season, Spence delivered the best season of his NHL career. Spence recorded career highs with 28 points and a +23 rating. Spence turned into a reliable defenseman for the Kings, but the team still decided to trade him away.
Trading for a player who delivered a career year that can crack the top six on defense was a win for the Senators, but Spence will have to deliver again with another big year with being due for a contract after 2026.
So, if Spence delivers in Ottawa in the 2025-26 season, what could a potential new contract look like?
2-3 years at $2.75-4 million per year
A new contract at two or three years would show the Senators believe in Spence for the future. With a career season in 2024-25, expectations for Spence will be higher in 2025-26.
Spence was more known for his defense than his offense. Along with recording 28 points, Spence also recorded career highs with 77 blocks and 80 hits. Spence is capable of playing solid defense in Ottawa along with Ottawa's defensive defensemen Artem Zub, Nick Jensen and Tyler Kleven.
The Senators could potentially have an idea to do the same thing with Spence for a new contract extension as they did with Kleven in June. Kleven entered the 2024-25 season on the final year of a restricted contract.
Kleven delivered with a steady regular season, but raised his game more defensively during the 2025 playoffs. The Senators re-signed Kleven to a two-year extension at $1.6 million per year.
Spence has to prove that his career year in Los Angeles wasn't a fluke. With a rising team in Ottawa destined to grow more, Spence has potential to be part of it at his age.
Another steady season from Spence can deliver to earn a solid contract at a fair price. At $2.75-4 million per year for his age and style of play, that salary might be in the ballpark for Spence due to having a career year last season and needing to learn a new system and team in Ottawa.