Senators sign Matinpalo to 2-year, $1.75M extension

The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo to a two-year contract extension with a $875,000 cap hit, the team announced Monday.

Matinpalo recorded one goal and four points in 41 NHL games this season. The 6-foot-3 rearguard played in all six of Ottawa's first-round playoff games versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he didn't register a point while playing 13:04 per game.

The 26-year-old was set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.

"Nik took a significant step this season and proved he could be a valuable contributor at the NHL level," general manager Steve Staios said in a statement. "We look forward to his continued growth."

Matinpalo represented Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off as an injury replacement for Rasmus Ristolainen. After Ottawa was eliminated from the playoffs, he was also tapped to play for his country at the upcoming World Championship.

Ottawa signed Matinpalo as an undrafted free agent in 2023.