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I was out the other night talking with a few friends who are all around sports fans, you know the true die hard fans of their favourite teams in all sports. Naturally, we all talk a lot about the Ottawa Senators and Ottawa Redblacks, being local guys. The topic of how so many Sens players over the years that don't finish the long term contracts they sign in Ottawa. One of the most recent players in Sens history that didn't have a long term contract that they signed while a Senators was none other than Erik Karlsson. When looking back on that contract, one close friend that was out with us, recalled how I said at the time of the signing, that Karlsson wouldn’t finish that 7 year extension in an Ottawa uniform. At the time I was quite adamant about it too, even though Karlsson developed into a superstar later on during that contract, it was his demeanor off the ice that really stuck with me. Without getting into specifics, Karlsson truly didn’t embrace his role off the ice like most players do in this community.

Playing in a small market, everyone in this community knows everything you do as a player. Word spreads fast if you are beloved or if you are frowned upon by fans. Perception is everything with Senators management and there is a reason why former GM Bryan Murray and even current GM Pierre Dorion, truly like to have players born and raised in Ottawa on the roster as they get the dynamics of this community. There is something to be said for that compared to other markets. Former players like Brad Shaw, Jamie Rivers, Randy Robitaille, Luke Richardson, Jason York, Todd White, Matt Carkner, Marc Methot, Mark Borowieki, Sean Donovan, Jesse Winchester, JG Pageau, Cody Ceci, Derick Brassard, even Erik Gudbranson on a short stint last season, all embraced the homegrown/hometown player in a Sens uniform.

Needless to say, Karlsson was traded with one year remaining on his 7 year contract extension that he signed with Ottawa back in 2012. Looking at current contract extensions that were signed by present Senators players, one has to wonder if one of Thomas Chabot, Colin White or Matt Murray play out their entire contract extensions that they signed in Ottawa. I don’t doubt for a minute that Connor Brown doesn’t play the next two years in Ottawa as part of his three year contract extension. As for the other three players, from all accounts, each player has been terrific both on and off the ice during their time in Ottawa and many fans have had great personal experiences when engaging with them off the ice.

Chabot, at 24 years old and seven years left on his extension after just completing the first year of the new deal, would be 32 years old by the time he finishes the contract in 2028. After seeing what Daniel Nurse in Edmonton and Cale Makar in Colorado signed for this summer, Chabot’s 8 million AAV looks pretty good right now. Ottawa will be getting Chabot’s best years during this contract but with the minutes he logs, one has to wonder what that wear and tear will have on him long term.

Colin White’s contract is the ultimate elephant in the room. With 4 years left and a 4.75 million AAV, Dorion signed White while he was playing with Mark Stone. His production has sinced dropped and sadly his contract is all fans in this city talk about when you bring up White’s name. There is no doubt he needs to have a big season, but at 24 years of age, he is young enough to develop and hopefully rebound from two average seasons.

Lastly, Matt Murray signed a 4 year extension upon being traded to Ottawa last summer. With a 6.25 million AAV, fans hope the next three years are more of what they saw while Murray played in Pittsburgh. His first year in Ottawa was inconsistent and staying healthy was a huge problem for the 2-time Stanley Cup winner. Murray is in the same boat as White, as he needs to have a huge rebound season.

Overall, in my eyes, I think there is a good chance that Chabot, White and Murray don’t finish those contract extensions in a Sens uniform. Naturally, the dynamics change each year with any team and my prediction could look ridiculous a year or two from now. But as it stands right now, I definitely don’t see White or Murray being a part of the Sens long term. With outstanding prospects both at forward and in goal, both players will be hard pressed to be here before those contracts run out. It will be easier to determine if Chabot will be here come the 2027-28 season as the next couple of years play out.

My question to anyone reading this, is which of the three players will finish those contracts in Ottawa? Or will any of these players finish their current contracts in Ottawa?

On another note, if anyone in Ottawa is gathering to watch the Ottawa Redblacks at the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 7pm at a sports bar, drop me a direct message.

Thanks for reading.
Kevin

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