*Photo from ESPN*
The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Nick Cousins to a one year, $800,000 contract, according to an announcement by the team.
Cousins is coming off a pair of successful seasons with the Florida Panthers, having made the Stanley Cup Final in both years and winning it this past season over the Edmonton Oilers in 7 games. He's only scored double digit goals in a season twice, but brings a 4th line tenacity role to what will be his 7th NHL team.
Last season was Cousins' 10th in the league and second with the Panthers. He ended the year with 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points, averaging 12:11 of ice time per game to go with a +1 rating in 69 games. He had no goals and one assist with a -1 rating in 12 playoff games.
Ottawa GM Steve Staios said in a statement "Nick has gained a lot of valuable experience playing almost 600 games in the NHL and having played in the Stanley Cup Finals in two straight seasons. He brings grit and tenacity to his game that adds to the competitive nature of our group."
Cousins had reportedly been in contact with the Senators when free agency opened July 1, but he was reportedly seeking a contract for multiple years and a bigger salary. With no one offering him that, the Belleville, Ontario native circled back to the Senators and will now play just a few hours from his hometown.
A 3rd round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2011 NHL draft, Cousins has played for 6 teams in 10 years in the league. He has 71 goals and 109 assists for 180 points in that time, notching a -19 rating while averaging 12:25 of ice time per game across 592 regular season games. He has an additional 4 goals and 11 assists in 63 playoff games.
Following the signing of Cousins, the Senators have just over $1.1 in remaining cap space with a 22 player roster ahead of training camp. The salary cap is set at $88 million for this season.
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