BREAKING: Senators Sign Forward Nick Cousins to One-Year Contract

The Ottawa Senators have agreed to terms with former Florida Panthers forward, Nick Cousins. The one year contract is worth $800,000.

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Last season, Cousins played 69 games for the Panthers. He scored 7 goals and 15 points. In 12 playoff games, he registered one assist. It was a down year from the season prior, where he scored 9 goals and 27 points in 79 games. He also played 21 playoff games two seasons ago, scoring 2 goals and 7 points. One of those goals was the overtime winner in game five to eliminate the Toronto Maple Leafs in round two.

Cousins’ Profile

Cousins is listed at 5-foot-11, 192 pounds. He turned 31 in June. He is a left shooting forward that has mainly played on the wing. The Senators will be Cousins’ seventh team. Along with the Panthers, he spent time with the Flyers, Coyotes, Canadiens, Golden Knights, and Predators. In 592 career games, he has scored 71 goals and 180 points.

Cousins is known as a hard working player that likes to stir the pot. He has often gotten under the skin of his opponents. Last season, he drew 25 penalties, which ranked second on the Panthers to Matthew Tkachuk. He seemed to amp up the physicality last season. He set career highs in penalty minutes, with 64, and in hits, with 130. That hit total ranked fourth among Panther forwards. He averaged just over 12 minutes of ice time per game, with almost all of that coming at even strength.

Expectations with Ottawa

Cousins was a big time point producer in the OHL, but he has found a role in the NHL as more of a bottom six, energy forward. Expect him to push for a consistent role as a bottom six forward, playing 12-13 minutes a night. He does have the ability to play up in the lineup at times. The line of Cousins, Sam Bennett, and Matthew Tkachuk played together for just over 200 minutes last season. He certainly fits the identity of what the Senators are trying to build. With Brady Tkachuk as the captain, they desire to play a hard working, physical style of game. The addition of Nick Cousins brings much needed depth to their forward group. The idea of Brady Tkachuk on one line, Ridly Greig on another, and now the likes of David Perron and Nick Cousins added to the mix is one that should excite Senators fans, all the while frustrating the rest of the NHL.