In the 2024-25 season, the Ottawa Senators silenced doubters by making the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017. One of the reasons was due to the rise of their young core players.
One of those players was defenseman Tyler Kleven. Prior to this season, Kleven played in 17 combined NHL games in the 2022-23 season and 2023-24 season.
Kleven played in all but three games this season for the Senators. Kleven will be a restricted free agent this Summer, but will be due for a steady contract worth some length and salary, which he deserves.
Kleven deserves steady contract after playoff performance
Just like most players on the Senators, not having playoff experience was going to be an impact. However, Kleven didn't let it bother him at all.
After recording 10 points in the regular season, the playoff pressure then hit Kleven. While Kleven recorded two assists in the 2025 playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he made his presence known with his physicality and defense.
Kleven recorded 16 hits and also added eight blocked shots. However, Kleven was making his presence known defensively all throughout the series with being able to clear pucks out.
Kleven averaged under 16 minutes of ice time in the series, but was solid throughout. Kleven delivered some big hits in the series as well.
This Summer, Kleven is due for a new contract as a restricted free agent. Kleven's salary this season was $916,667. However, a raise will be needed for Kleven.
It's important that the Senators can lock up their core players for more years to come. Kleven is one of those players that needs to be locked up for years to come.
In January, the Senators extended Ridly Greig at 22 years old for four years with a salary of $3.25 million per year. That could be about the same length and salary that Kleven could get at 23 years old. Kleven is still developing as this was truly his first NHL season.
With both Travis Hamonic and Dennis Gilbert being unrestricted free agents, the Senators could lose both of them this Summer and lose defensive depth, but locking up Kleven for years to come will need to happen.
Kleven will be relied on more by the Senators next season and in the future, and rightfully so. Kleven's 2025 playoffs showed how capable he is of being a big defensive presence.