Senators sign Nick Cousins to 1-year deal

The Ottawa Senators and unrestricted free-agent forward Nick Cousins agreed to a one-year, $800,000 deal, the team announced Thursday.

Ottawa reached out to Cousins when free agency opened on July 1, but he was seeking a longer contract and more money at the time, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.

Cousins spent the last two seasons with the Florida Panthers and helped the club capture its first Stanley Cup championship this spring. He appeared in 12 contests during the playoff run, logging one assist while averaging less than nine minutes of ice time per game.

The Belleville native suited up for 69 regular-season matchups in 2023-24, scoring seven goals to go with 15 points.

Philadelphia drafted Cousins in the third round in 2011. A veteran of 592 NHL games, the 31-year-old has spent time with the Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Nashville Predators, and Panthers over 10 seasons.

Cousins has racked up 71 goals, 180 points, 766 hits, and 312 penalty minutes during his NHL tenure.