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Clarke MacArthur signs five-year, $23.25 million extension with Senators

Clarke MacArthur signs five-year, $23.25 million extension with Senators

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk had a busy Tuesday.

First, Melnyk announced that the franchise has surpassed the $100 million mark in contributions to the Ottawa area since its return to the NHL in 1992. He then took part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with Erik Karlsson. To wrap up his afternoon, Melnyk announced on TSN 1200 that Clarke MacArthur had signed a five-year, $23.25 million extension.

From the Senators:

MacArthur, 29, appeared in all but three of the Senators’ 82 regular-season games in 2013-14, establishing a new career high with 24 goals in his first season in Ottawa. He concluded the campaign ranking fourth in team scoring with 55 points (24 goals, 31 assists) while earning a career best plus-12 rating and a career high 78 penalty minutes.

"I think [MacArthur's] best year's are still to come, and I think Bryan [Murray] feels the same way, and [Assistant GM] Pierre Dorion as well," said Melnyk. "We all believe that he's going to be a huge contributor to the team. He's a great character guy. He's great in the dressing room. We're really pleased that we've got him locked in for the next six years."

According to the Senators, the contract breaks down like this over the five years: $4.5M, $4.5M, $4.75M, $4.75M, $4.75M.

MacArthur clicked playing with Kyle Turris last season, with the pair hitting career highs in goals, while Turris recorded a personal best 58 points. The two will be together now through at least the 2017-18 season and will be relied upon to help carry the offensive load with Jason Spezza now playing in Dallas.

Next up on Melnyk's plate will be extensions for Bobby Ryan, Marc Methot and Craig Anderson.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!