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Nick Cousins signs $800K, one-year contract with Senators
Former Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins HAS signed a one-year, $800K deal with the Ottawa Senators, insider Frank Seravalli reports.
The 31-year-old Cousins, a former third-pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2011, has played in nearly 600 NHL games. Last season, he appeared in 69 contests for the Panthers, notching seven goals and 15 points in a predominant fourth-line role.
Cousins suited up in 12 playoff games last postseason, registering one assist. Nevertheless, he played a key role in helping the Panthers win the team’s first Stanley Cup. He arrived in Florida after signing a two-year, $2.2 million deal during the 2022 offseason.
However, it seemed that Nick Cousins was no longer in the Panthers’ plans moving forward this season. Perhaps, the Cats felt Cousins’ cap hit was high for a veteran depth forward. As such, the club will be looking at internal options to fill his spot in the lineup.
In the meantime, Cousins will be joining an Ottawa Senators team looking to turn things around following a disappointing season last year. The arrival of a new coach Travis Green should provide the club with new energy and punch.
Hopefully, the new voice behind the bench will help the Sens return to the playoff conversation in the Eastern Conference, with Nick Cousins playing a key role for the team.
Predicting Nick Cousins’ spot in the Ottawa Senators' lineup
At this point in his career, Cousins projects as a bottom-six forward. His grit and veteran leadership are highly useful in depth roles, looking to support top players.
As such, it seems likely that Cousins could climb into the Sens’ fourth line, competing with Zack Ostapchuk for the fourth-line center role.
Nevertheless, the addition of Cousins could also be an insurance policy for the Senators. If injuries become an issue, the club could call on Cousins to fill in. For instance, Josh Norris’ injury last year greatly affected the Senators’ forward depth.
With that in mind, could Cousins start the season in the AHL? That’s a possibility. Cousins could start the year in the minors and be one of the first callups when needed.
There’s also another possibility. Moving Cousins to the wing could give the Sens additional flexibility. If that were the case, Cousins would most likely compete against newcomer Noah Gregor or Zack MacEwen for a fourth-line wing spot.
Ultimately, Cousins doesn’t seem guaranteed a roster spot in Ottawa. But given the club’s need for depth scoring and gritty players, there’s a very good chance that he can make the team out of training camp.
The Sens stand to benefit from adding Cousins’ solid work ethic to a largely young and inexperienced team.
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