Brian Elliott Signs Two-Year Deal

by DarrenM on Aug 4, 2009 7:57 PM EDT

The Senators announced today that they have signed goaltender Brian Elliott to a two-year contract. ~~The financial aspect of the deal was not announced.~~ Update: Elliott will make $800,000 the first year, $900,000 the second (as reported by the Sun)

Brian Elliott

#30 / Goalie / Ottawa Senators

Height: 6-2

Weight: 202

Born: Apr 09, 1985

No surprises here. With Alex Auld traded to Dallas, there was never a question that Ottawa would lock up Elliott. Despite being, as is too often mentioned, the 291st overall pick in the 2003 draft, Elliott has steadily rose to the top of the Senators' prospect pool. He put up stellar numbers in the AHL (a .926 SV% last season), and was very solid after being called up to Ottawa. So solid, in fact, that he made both Martin Gerber and the aforementioned Auld expendable.

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Brian Elliott	31	1667	16	8	3	3	77	2.77	786	709	.902	1

It's hard to argue with the deal. Elliott has proven himself to be a very capable netminder, he's still young, and we lock him down for two years, which means GM Brian Murray has one less contract to worry about at the end of next season (as there are already plenty). One scary thought - his contract expires at the same time as Pascal Leclaire's, putting the Sens in an interesting spot. Luckily, Elliott remains an RFA when his contract expires.

Expect Elliott to backup Leclaire to start the 2009-10 campaign.

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Great deal

Paid $800k in the first year and $900k in the second year, which is seriously awesome. There might be performance incentives built into the deal, which could raise his cap hit, but it won’t be cripplingly high—likely will remain around the same amount as Auld would have been paid ($1M).

Terrific deal. And the fact that both contracts expire at the same time means that the Senators will choose who to go with, or to go in a different direction altogether if they both suck. Good succession planning.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 4, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

Not a fan of having Elliott watch games as a backup

I like Elliott and I think he could grow into a top notch goalie, but I think he needs to be playing to do so. He should be getting ice time in Bingo, not riding the bench in Ottawa.

by Mark Parisi on Aug 5, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions

This is true, but the problem is convincing Brian of that. I think a lot of guys would rather start 20 games in the NHL than 60 in the AHL. Also, I can’t be bothered to check the CBA, but he might have to go waivers to be sent down again? And I doubt he’d make it through.

by DarrenM on Aug 5, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, no way he’d make it through waivers. And it’s not like there aren’t benefits to playing with an NHL team — he gets to practice against NHL players every day. I just feel that given his current level of play — very hot for a while, cold for the next — quantity minutes matter more than quality. I’d like to see him balance out his play more before and I think that only comes with experience.

by Mark Parisi on Aug 5, 2009 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Completely agree, and I think it would be much better for his development. However, as I said earlier, I just think it’s hard to convince a young player/goalie of that.

by DarrenM on Aug 5, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

And don't be surprised if he gets a shot in Ottawa

Not everyone is sold on Leclaire, and he’s had injury problems before. It’s integral that the Senators have a solid backup behind him, and Elliott fits that bill.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 5, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions