The Ottawa Senators announced Thursday that captain Daniel Alfredsson has signed a four-year contract extension.
The deal, worth $21.6 million, is expected to keep Alfredsson as a Senator for the remainder of his career.
"This is obviously a special day for me and my family," said Alfredsson. "To be able to spend my whole career with one team is pretty special in today's pro sports. We're really rooted in ottawa, in the community. Ottawa has become my hometown."
The contract, which includes a no-movement clause, pays $4 million in salary in the first year with a $3 million signing bonus, plus $2.1 million for the removal of the option years from his old contract for a total $9.1 million.
Alfredsson will then make $4 million in Year 2 with a $3 million signing bonus for $7 million, a third year salary of $2 million with a $2.5 million signing bonus for $4.5 million, and $1 million in Year 4.
"Our ability to reach a new contract so early in the season speaks to the high level of commitment and respect that exists between Daniel and our hockey club," said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk in a statement. "With today's signing, I deliver on a promise to our fans and to Daniel that I would make him a Senator for life. Daniel's leadership and on-ice skills make him one of the best all round players in the National Hockey League and I'm delighted that he will remain an integral part of the Senators organization."
Alfredsson has 334 goals and 856 points in 861 career regular season games with the team. In his 13th year with the NHL and the Senators, he has three goals and six assists through eight games this season.
''Daniel is the type of person and player that we want to continue building this franchise around,'' Senators general manager Bryan Murray told The Canadian Press. ''We are happy to have him here to lead our team towards the goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to Ottawa.''
