Cowan and the Sens make a deal

[transplant99]

Jared Cowen is getting ready return to the club’s blueline, the Ottawa Sun has learned.

The Senators will likely end their contract dispute with the 22-year-old defenceman Saturday with a four-year deal worth approximately $12 million that will allow the restricted free agent to report to camp.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/09/13...-hit-stalemate

[Sylvanfan]

4 year term on a second contract is dangerous because the player is UFA when this contract is done. Not sure that Cowan has shown so much that they needed to go beyond two years for this deal.

[Jake]

The Sens consider that a bridge contract. Not sure I would call 4 years a bridge contract.

Either way, I think it is good value. It just doesn't look good that he is a UFA at the end of it.

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by Jake

The Sens consider that a bridge contract. Not sure I would call 4 years a bridge contract.

Either way, I think it is good value. It just doesn't look good that he is a UFA at the end of it.

He's not. You have to play 7 seasons to be eligible for UFA. He'll only have played 5 or 6 at the end of his contract.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

He's not. You have to play 7 seasons to be eligible for UFA. He'll only have played 5 or 6 at the end of his contract.

How has his entry level deal expired if he's only played two seasons? Looking at his profile on hockeydb, he played a game in 09-10 with the Senators. Than the next year he played 10 games in the AHL playoffs. Somehow it looks like they burned an extra year off his ELC without it counting as an accrued season. Capgeek is listing him as a RFA at the end of this contract as he will still be 26, and must not have 7 accrued seasons.

In that case the 4 year term is much better than I originally thought, didn't realize he does not have 3 accrued years of pro hockey.