The Ottawa Senators have locked up one of their key young defensemen, Jake Sanderson, to a massive 8-year, $64.4 million contract extension. The deal carries an average annual value of $8.05 million and will begin with the 2024-25 season. Sanderson, who was drafted fifth overall by the Senators in the 2020 NHL Draft, has quickly become an integral part of the team’s defensive core.
Sanderszn just got a whole lot longer!! 😏⁰⁰
The #Sens have signed defenceman Jake Sanderson to an 8-year extension!⁰⁰#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/6ptELYAUnB
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 7, 2023
In his rookie season, the 21-year-old defenseman recorded 32 points (4 goals, 28 assists) in 77 games and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Sanderson’s previous contract was a three-year, entry-level deal signed in 2022.
The young defenseman expressed his excitement about the extension, stating, “We’re going to win. We all know that and I want to be here for it.” Sanderson’s commitment to the Senators is evident, as he joins forwards Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, and defenseman Thomas Chabot, who are all signed with the team at least through the 2027-28 season.
Before entering the NHL, Sanderson played two seasons at the University of North Dakota and represented the United States at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship. Senators general manager Pierre Dorion praised Sanderson’s transition to the pro game, saying, “He’s a very mature young man who demonstrates a routine and skillful ability to play important minutes with poise. … He has the talent to be one of the best all-around defensemen in the NHL for years to come.”
The Senators’ investment in Sanderson is part of a trend of NHL teams signing young defensemen to long-term contracts, as they continue to reshape the league’s landscape. With Sanderson’s extension, the Senators have solidified their defensive core for the foreseeable future, and fans can look forward to watching this talented group develop and compete for years to come.
