Maybe this time Anton Forsberg won’t have to move. The Ottawa Senators have signed the journeyman goaltender to a one-year contract extension for the 2021-22 season. The deal will carry a salary of $900K, giving the team a veteran backup at the position. Senators GM Pierre Dorion released a short statement on the move:
"Anton’s addition has been a steadying one for us this season. He possesses a calm and controlled playing style, has good size and ability, is a tireless worker with good habits and is a good teammate. He’s worked hard in practice to earn his playing opportunities and this contract extension."
While deals like this are usually due to expansion-draft considerations, that doesn’t appear to be the case for Ottawa. The team already had four goaltenders who meet the exposure requirements, meaning they can pick and choose which one to protect from the Seattle Kraken. They very well could lose one of their young netminders, though, meaning Forsberg’s presence could be all the more valuable next season.
Originally signed by the Edmonton Oilers in October to a one-year, $700K deal, Forsberg’s season quickly went off the rails as teams tried to slip him through waivers. He was claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes on January 12, by the Winnipeg Jets on January 15 and then finally by the Senators on March 17. By the time he got to Ottawa, he had spent more time in quarantine than on the ice, but he gave the team some solid performances. In six NHL games this season, he registered a .910 save percentage, good enough to earn this extension.
Of course, if the Senators want to send Forsberg to the minor leagues next season, he’ll have to clear waivers once again.
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