And then there was one.
This afternoon, the Ottawa Senators announced that they have signed forward Filip Chlapik to a one-year, two-way deal.
He’ll earn $735,000 in the NHL and $70,000 in the American Hockey League.
Chlapik is another one of those players that has sort of lived on the bubble the last couple season, frequently travelling back and forth between Ottawa and Belleville. And while he has shown flashes during his 56 games of NHL experience, it’s still not entirely clear where he fits with the Sens long-term.
But at 23 years of age, it’s safe to say that this is a big year for Chlapik.
Here’s Pierre Dorion on the signing.
“Filip’s a competitive player who works hard. He has applied himself to becoming an important player for us in Belleville. We’re confident that work ethic will be equally as effective for him as he strives to become the same type of player in Ottawa.”
Feel like I had report cards that sounded just like that.
If Chlapik is going to become a regular with the Senators next season, he’ll have to edge out the likes of Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton, Vitaly Abramov and Rudolfs Balcers for a spot. Should be fun to watch those guys battle it out in training camp in uhh whenever that is.
It’s worth pointing out that of that group, both Balcers and Chlapik would need to clear waivers to be sent down.
With Chlapik signed, Christian Jaros is now the last restricted free agent without a contract. He has an arbitration hearing scheduled for November 7th but safe to assume we’ll hear something official well before that date.
