Ottawa Senators‘ 6th year center Jean-Gabriel Pageau(44) gets a brand new 3-year deal that keeps him with his 2011 draft team through 2020.
The small forward is coming off a similar one-way but less lucrative 2-year agreement, where he twice skated the full schedule of 82 NHL games.
He was less explosive on the score sheet last season (12-21-33) than he was in his career best year (so far) 2015/2016 when he pocketed 19 goals, 24 assists for 43 points.
Two important factors may have influenced the restricted free agent’s new deal: he put up a team high 8 goals in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff contests and is a very accountable combined +32 over 251 games.
The 24-year old split most of his time during his first three campaigns between the big club and affiliate Binghamton Senators but at this point is probably not looking back.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau(10) Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators‘ 4th round pick in the 2011 draft (#96 overall), rookie center Jean-Gabriel Pageau(10) isn’t exactly one of the biggest players on the ice, standing at 5’9″, weighing in at a measly 163 lbs., but in his first pro season with minor league affiliate Binghamton Senators he is proving he can get the job done.
In 67 AHL games, he has 7 goals and 22 assists with a +8 rating on a team near the top of the league standings and ripe with much rookie talent.
He averaged a point-per-game in three seasons of junior hockey before signing his three-year entry level contract that runs through 2015. He decided to forego his last season to ink his deal.
The only 20-year old received his first NHL call-up and recorded his first point, an assist, while skating 18 shifts for 11:17 total ice time, including going 55.6% on face-off draws and a +1 plus/minus in a 3-1 winning effort.
He probably still needs to add a bit more weight and muscle to his game but he’s definitely heading in the right direction.