Phillips Staying with Sens, Signs Two-Year Deal

Lifelong Ottawa Senator will continue to play for the only NHL franchise he has ever known, re-signing with the Senators.

As per @Real_ESPNLeBrun Chris Phillips and OTT have agreed to 2 year contract at $2.5M per year. #Tradecentre

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 5, 2014

The deal includes a no-trade clause and will keep the defenseman in Senators colours until he's 38-years-old. While Phillips will make $750,000 less next season, $2.5 million is still a lot for a third-pairing defenseman with diminishing returns. Much of this deal is predicated on Phillips's intangibles and with a relatively young defense core, the organization is probably looking for Big Rig to mentor youngsters like Cowen and Ceci.