The Ottawa Senators have signed two restricted free agents, Erik Brannstrom and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Both players will turn 24 this season and have earned their qualifying offers from Senators general manager Pierre Dorion.
Erik Brannstrom, who posted a career-high in goals (two), assists (16), and points (18) in 74 games in the 2022-23 season, earned a one-year deal worth $2 million annually. Brannstrom was acquired by Ottawa via trade when Vegas acquired Mark Stone from Ottawa. Brannstrom will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when his contract expires.
Jacob Bernard-Docker has been a valuable depth piece for the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa’s 26th overall pick in the 2018 draft has shown steady development heading into his contract year. Bernard-Docker has not played a full NHL season yet, pushing his arbitration eligibility back a full year. Bernard-Docker earned a two-year deal worth $805,000 annually.
This helps set up the Ottawa Senators’ defensive depth for years to come. Both Bernard-Docker and Brannstrom are defensemen, and Pierre Dorion has built a strong defense core over the years. Chabot, Chychrun, Zub, Brannstrom, Sanderson, and Bernard-Docker are just some of the names that Dorion has signed. With more moves to come and some decent defensemen available, Pierre Dorion has a ton of flexibility on his hands.
