Ottawa Senators Sign Nick Cousins
The Ottawa Senators have officially signed forward Nick Cousins to a one-year contract worth $800,000, as reported by hockey insider Frank Seravalli.Cousins, a 31-year-old native of Belleville, Ontario, brings a wealth of experience to the team after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last season.
Over his NHL career, he has played nearly 600 games, accumulating 71 goals and 109 assists for a total of 180 points. His addition is expected to bolster the Senators’ roster, providing them with a gritty and tenacious player who can contribute both offensively and defensively. This move is seen as a low-risk opportunity for the Senators to enhance their lineup with a seasoned veteran.
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Nick Cousins’ Career Overview
Nick Cousins, 31, played the 2023-24 season with the Florida Panthers, where he recorded seven goals and eight assists for a total of 15 points in 69 regular-season games. He also contributed an assist during 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games last spring, playing a role in the Panthers securing their first-ever Stanley Cup.
Over his 10 NHL seasons, Cousins has accumulated 71 goals and 109 assists, totaling 180 points across 592 regular-season games with several teams, including the Panthers, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Montreal Canadiens, Arizona Coyotes, and Philadelphia Flyers. In the playoffs, he has recorded four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 63 career playoff games.
Drafted by the Flyers in the third round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Cousins spent four seasons in the OHL playing for the Soo Greyhounds, where he scored 102 goals and 189 assists for 291 points in 264 regular-season games. His standout junior season was in 2012-13, where he tallied 27 goals and 76 assists for 103 points in just 64 games.
Last season, the Senators finished with a record of 37-41-4, earning 78 points and placing seventh in the Atlantic Division, which was third-last in the Eastern Conference.
Ottawa Senators Draft Carter Yakemchuk
The Ottawa Senators selected defenseman Carter Yakemchuk with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The right-handed player from the WHL’s Calgary Hitman wrapped up the 2023-24 season with an impressive 30 goals, 41 assists, totaling 71 points, along with 120 penalty minutes.
In his final draft prospect rankings, Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis commented on Yakemchuk, saying: “That’s the kind of stat line you’d typically associate with a power forward—not a third-year defenseman who has exceeded all expectations this year. However, I still need to see further improvement defensively. His decision-making under pressure could use some work, but the potential is certainly there. With some development, Yakemchuk has the ability to become a high-scoring defender in the NHL.”
