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 blueliner appeared in all six of Ottawa’s first-round playoff games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, averaging 13:04 of ice time per game without registering a point.
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 the Senators’ playoff elimination, he was also selected to play for Finland at the upcoming World Championship.
Ottawa signed Matinpalo as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
