Chris Phillips remains cemented with Senators for 2 more years
The venerable stat heads at Extra Skater summarized Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips thusly: “Chris Phillips is not a good possession player, old, and plays soft competition.”
But, intangibles!
The Senators signed the Big Rig to a 2-year, $5-million extension that keeps him from UFA status this summer. The 35 year old had been tendered a 1-year offer earlier in the process, and re-upped with the Sens after they added a second season to the deal. Phillips also has a no-trade clause, per Sportsnet.
What the Ottawa take on this? Jared Crozier of Sens Shot writes:
It is good to see the Senators reward loyalty, even if it did take right up to the 11th hour to get it done. Phillips was looking for 2 years, which he could easily have got on the open market. The contract opens the door for Phillips to become the franchise’s all time games played leader, as he sits just 54 games behind Alfredsson’s total in Ottawa.
It also means the first overall pick in 1996 could retire a career Senator. And after seeing Alfredsson leave, maybe they decided it was better to keep another career Sen in the fold.
