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Ottawa Senators sign Zack Smith to four-year extension

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators center Derick Brassard (19) celebrates a goal scored by Senators center Zack Smith (15) during the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators center Derick Brassard (19) celebrates a goal scored by Senators center Zack Smith (15) during the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Zack Smith to a four-year extension worth $13 million. 

Zack Smith has emerged as one of the most important forwards on the Ottawa Senators. After a 25-goal season last year, he’s on pace to set career highs in points with 22 through his first 43 games in 2016-17.  Smith will be staying in Ottawa for a while, as the team announced they have signed him to a four-year deal.

"Smith’s season follows a 2015-16 campaign that saw him set career highs in goals (25) and points (36). His 11 assists this season are one shy of his career high of 12, which he established in 2011-12. In 443 National Hockey League games, all as a member of the Senators, Smith has recorded 75 goals and earned 61 assists for 136 points. He has added one goal and two assists over 26 career playoff games."

His average annual value will be $3.5 million and it also represents his yearly salary. The Senators are a team that spend to their budget more than the salary cap ceiling, so his salary is a pretty good deal. It also gives Ottawa a bit of flexibility.

While his shooting percentage fell from 20.7 percent from last season, Smith has still been quite productive. With a 12.6 percent shooting percentage, perhaps he can sustain a shooting percentage that’s higher than normal. Smith tends to generate a good number of his chances from close to the crease. If he can sustain this, it should definitely help him maintain a high shooting percentage.

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Most importantly, Smith easily could have gotten more than $3.25 million per season in free agency. Signing him for below market value is a huge win for Ottawa. The term isn’t bad either, as his contract will be done by age 33, which is when a majority of forwards typically start their huge decline. Overall, a very solid deal for the Senators, keeping a guy they loved at a very reasonable price. Especially for someone coming off a 25 goal season.

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