Updated: Senators Sign Alex Galchenyuk to 1-year, $1.05M contract

Update (1 PM): The signing is now official on the team’s Twitter account:

News Release: The #Sens have announced the signing of forward Alex Galchenyuk to a one-year contract: https://t.co/AIDIc3VbQh pic.twitter.com/y4Y0RtqnT4

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 28, 2020

The Ottawa Senators appear to have continued their veritable bonanza of off-season spending by adding Alex Galchenyuk on Wednesday. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the deal is for 1 year at $1.05M. We are still awaiting official confirmation of the signing from the team, but Garrioch and Pierre Lebrun are about as credible as they come:

Deal is expected to be worth one year at $1.05 million. #Sens https://t.co/3ePKzFoGJO

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) October 28, 2020

Galchenyuk, the third overall selection in the 2012 draft, has struggled in recent seasons and was traded first from Montreal to Arizona after the 2017-18 season, then to Pittsburgh last off-season, and finally to Minnesota at last season’s trade deadline. Galchenyuk has played both centre and the left wing during his time in the NHL; two positions of immediate need for the Sens. He’ll likely start the season one of the top two lines. No one has ever doubted the 26 year old’s offensive talents, but his defensive game leaves more than a bit to be desired.

Given the dollar value, and length, of the contract it’s a low-risk proposition for the Sens. Maybe Galchenyuk flourishes in his new home and positions himself as a potential long-term solution up front. On the other hand, he’ll also be taking up yet another NHL roster spot that might otherwise be available for one of the prospects. Part of the rebuild plan was to get the kids in there, but by my count only 2 forward roster spots are up for grabs at this stage. In that context, the Galchenyuk signing is a bit strange. Either way, you can definitely say that Pierre Dorion and the Sens are out there doing things.