Ottawa Senators sign forward Chris Tierney to two-year deal, avoiding arbitration

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have avoided arbitration with Chris Tierney, signing the forward to a two-year contract with an average annual value of US$3.5 million.

Tierney, 26, will earn $2.8 million in 2020-21 and $4.2 million in 2021-22.

A native of Keswick, Ont., Tierney ranked sixth among Senators in scoring with 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 2019-20 and was one of four players to appear in each of Ottawa’s 71 games. 

In 2018-19, he set career-highs in assists (39), points (48) and games (81).

The Senators acquired Tierney in the deal that sent star defenceman Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks in September 2018.

Tierney has 189 points (61 goals, 128 assists) in 436 career NHL games with San Jose and Ottawa.

“We’re pleased to reach an agreement with Chris that will see him under contract here for multiple seasons,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said in a statement. 

“He’s a reliable veteran who has very good hockey sense and who is consistently among our best centres in faceoff success rate. That he’s accumulated significant NHL experience in a short period of time is also of considerable importance to our lineup.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2020.

The Canadian Press