Senators sign Max Guenette to one-year, two-way contract

The Ottawa Senators announced the signing of defenseman Max Guenette to a one-year, two-way contract extension Tuesday.

The deal is worth $775,000 in the NHL and $120,000 in the American Hockey League.

The 23-year-old defender spent the last three seasons primarily with the Senators’ AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. In 2023-24, he scored seven goals and 27 assists for 34 points in 58 games in the AHL, as well as appearing in seven games with the NHL club.

“Max played an important role in Belleville last season,” Senators’ President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios said in press release announcing the signing. “He’s a strong puck mover who routinely demonstrates good hockey sense. He’s been a deserving recall to Ottawa on and someone we’ll look forward to seeing in training camp this fall.”

In 2022-23, Guennette recorded 40 points with the AHL Senators, which led for defenders on the club.

Drafted by the Senators in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Guenette had spent four seasons with the QMJHL’s Val d’OR Foreurs. During that time, the native of L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que., scored 25 goals and 81 assists for 106 points.

The Senators had a difficult 2023-24 season, going 37-41-4 with 78 points, seventh in the Atlantic Division and third-last in the Eastern Conference. Forward Brady Tkachuk led the team with 37 goals and 74 points, and forward Tim Stuzle led the team in assists with 52.

The team will select No. 7 overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, taking place June 29 from the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nev.