Two weeks ago, we passed along word that Ottawa and Zack Smith had engaged in preliminary extension talks.
On Monday, the two sides wrapped ‘em up.
Smith and the Sens have agreed to a four-year deal worth $13 million -- an average annual cap hit of $3.25 million, as announced this afternoon. It’s a pretty nice pay bump for the 28-year-old, who’s in the final year of a deal that pays $1.88M.
Smith had a breakout performance last year, scoring a career-high 25 goals while averaging a healthy 15:24 TOI per night. This year he’s been equally effective offensively -- 11 goals and 22 points in 43 games -- and has thrived at times playing on a line with Derick Brassard and Mark Stone.
Smith also earned the praise of his coaching staff, particularly assistant bench boss Marc Crawford.
“He is so strong on the puck and he has got a very good shot,” Crawford explained, per the Citizen. “He’s fearless and he goes to the net.”
This new extension kicks in next season, and will keep Smith in the Canadian capital through 2021. The only players on the current roster locked in for that long are Dion Phaneuf and Bobby Ryan.