Breaking down NHL free agency

Day three recap

Sens acquire Jan Jenik in exchange for Egor Sokolov

The Ottawa Senators made their third trade in as many days, as the team acquired forward Jan Jenik from the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for forward Egor Sokolov.

Jenik, 23, was drafted 65^th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The forward has skated in 22 career NHL games, all with the Coyotes. Jenik made his NHL debut on May 7, 2021, against the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first NHL goal in the very same game. In his 22 career games, Jenik has recorded six points in the form of four goals and two assists.

The Nymburk, Czechia native spent the majority of his 2023-24 season with the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, the Tuscon Roadrunners. Playing 55 regular season games, Jenik tallied 16 goals and 20 assists for a 36-point total. In 165 career AHL games, Jenik has 46 goals and 74 assists for a total of 120 points.

Jenik also suited up for Team Czech Republic in both the 2019 and 2020 World Junior Championships, the latter year wearing an ‘A’ on his jersey as part of the team’s leadership group. In six combined games between the two tournaments, Jenik scored two goals and three assists, totalling five points.

Headed the other way was forward Egor Sokolov. The 24-year-old was drafted 61^st overall by the Senators in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and skated in 13 games with Ottawa. In that span, he recorded one goal and one assist. The Yekaterinburg, Russia native played in 240 career games with Ottawa’s AHL affiliate the Belleville Senators. Sokolov scored 76 goals and added 104 assists to total 180 points in that span.

Matthew Adanovski signs three-year, entry-level contract with the Sens

Andonovski, 19, was drafted 140^th overall by the Senators in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

The Markham, Ontario native spent the 2023-24 season with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. He played in 65 regular season games, scoring seven goals and 25 assists to total 32 points. The defenceman also skated in 10 playoff games for the Rangers, adding one assist. Andonovski finished the 2023-24 season with the OHL’s best plus-minus rating (+58).

Last season was Andonovski’s third with the Rangers. In a career 175 OHL games, the defenceman has totalled seven goals and 45 assists for 52 points. Andonovski’s first career OHL goal came in the opening game of last season.

Day two recap

In the wake of the start to NHL free agency, the Senators continued to make moves signing players, as well as making a trade. Look back on what moves the Senators made on day two of NHL free agency.

Filip Roos signs one-year, two-way deal with the Sens

The Senators’ day started early, as the team kicked the morning off by signing defenceman Filip Roos to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Gothenburg, Sweden native spent his 2023-24 season with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. With the IceHogs, Roos skated in 59 regular season games, recording two goals and 14 assists to tally 16 points. He also appeared in four playoff games for the IceHogs, putting up three points (all assists). In his two AHL seasons, Roos has played in 98 regular season games, recording five goals and 22 assists for a total of 27 points.

Prior to his move to North America, Roos played for Skellefteå AIK of the SHL, Sweden’s top professional league. In 50 games with Skellefteå AIK, Roos scored six points in the form of one goal and five assists.

Roos, 25, was undrafted but signed to a two-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on May 23, 2022. Roos’ NHL debut came with the Blackhawks on October 13, 2022, against the Colorado Avalanche. Less than a month later, on November 12, Roos scored his first NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks. In 21 career NHL games, Roos has three points (one goal, two assists).

Hayden Hodgson signs one-year, two-way deal with the Sens

The Sens' second act of the day was to sign forward Hayden Hodgson, which saw the team gain an experienced pro that will bring energy and physicality to the team's offensive depth.

Hodgson’s 2023-24 season was spent with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, where the 28-year-old skated in 49 regular season games, during which he recorded six goals and 10 assists for 16 points. Hodgson also played seven playoff games with the Reign last season, scoring one goal.

Over four seasons, Hodgson has played in 180 career AHL regular season games, scoring thirty goals and thirty assists for a total of 61 points. Hodgson has played for the Reign, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and the Cleveland Monsters.

The Windsor, Ontario native went undrafted, signing a contract with the Cleveland Monsters on March 23, 2017. Nearly five years to the day, Hodgson signed an NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on March 22, 2022. The forward played his first NHL game with the Flyers on March 24 against the St. Louis Blues, scoring his first goal and adding an assist in his debut. In seven career NHL games, Hodgson has one goal and two assists to total three points.

Adam Gaudette signs one-year, two-way deal with the Sens

A familiar face will be returning for the 2025-26 season, as the Senators' third signing of the day was forward Adam Gaudette. 

Gaudette returns to the Senators, having previously played with the team during the 2021-22 season. The team originally claimed Gaudette off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks on November 27, 2021. The Braintree, Massachusetts native played 50 games with the Senators that season, scoring four goals and eight assists for a total of 12 points.

In 220 career regular season NHL games, split between four teams (Ottawa, Chicago, Vancouver, and St. Louis), Gaudette has totalled 27 goals and 43 assist for 70 points.

Gaudette has also played 148 regular season games in the AHL. In that span, Gaudette has scored 77 goals and 57 assists for a 134-point total. The 27-year-old has played for the Utica Comets, Toronto Marlies, and the Springfield Thunderbirds, the latter of whom he spent the majority of last season with.

The 2023-24 season saw Gaudette named to the AHL First All-Star Team and skate in the AHL All-Star Game. He also received the Willie Marshall Award, for most goals in the AHL that season. Gaudette totaled 44 goals, alongside 27 assists to finish the season with 71 points in 67 games.

Sens trade Mathieu Joseph to the St. Louis Blues

The Ottawa Senators made one trade on day two, sending forward Mathieu Joseph and the team’s 2025 third round pick to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations.

Joseph, 27, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft (120^th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning, from whom the Senators originally acquired him. In 139 games with the Senators, the Laval, Québec native recorded 18 goals and 47 assists for a total of 65 points. Prior to joining the Senators, Joseph played 221 games for the Lightning.

Shane Pinto signs two-year deal with the Sens

The second day of free agency ended with a bang, as the Senators announced they have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with forward Shane Pinto. The contract carries a total value of $7.5M. The signing comes on just the second day of NHL free agency, and sees Pinto signed on through the 2025-26 season.

The forward, 23, played 41 games with Ottawa last season, scoring nine goals and 18 assists for a total of 27 points. Following the 2023-24 regular season, Pinto joined Team USA at the 2024 World Championship, where he played alongside fellow Senators Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson. Skating in eight games for Team USA, Pinto scored two goals and seven assists to total nine points.

Pinto was named to the American team for the 2020 World Junior Championships, which saw him score four goals and three assists for seven points in five games. The forward was named player of the game in his first game of the tournament, scoring two goals and an assist against Team Canada.

The Franklin Square, New York native was drafted 32^nd overall by the Senators in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. In 140 games with the Sens, Pinto has totalled 70 points in the form of 30 goals and 40 assists.

Pinto made his NHL debut with the Senators on May 5, 2021, in a 5-1 win over the Montréal Canadiens. In the very same game, he scored his first NHL goal. In October of the 2022-23 season, Pinto’s official rookie season, he was named rookie of the month by the NHL, having scored six goals in eight games.

Day one recap

Across Canada, July 1 is a statutory holiday, which sees most workers take the day off. In the NHL, July 1 is anything but a holiday. The first day of NHL free agency, July 1 sees a trade and contract-signing frenzy that is rivalled only by the NHL trade deadline. The Senators were no exception to the excitement, as the team’s hockey operations department immediately sprang into action as the clock struck 12:00 p.m.

It's time to take a look at what moves the Senators made on day one.

Sens acquire Nick Jensen in exchange for Jakob Chychrun

The Senators kicked the day off in the form of a trade, which saw the team acquire defenceman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third round pick from the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenceman Jakob Chychrun.

Jensen, 33, spent the prior season with the Capitals, where he skated in 78 regular season games and recorded 14 points (one goal, 13 assists). The St. Paul, Minnesota native has played a career 562 NHL games, split between the Capitals and the Detroit Red Wings. In that time, he has recorded 19 goals and 115 assists for a total of 134 points. Drafted in the fifth round, 150^th overall by the Red Wings in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Jensen brings valuable veteran leadership to a young Sens core. The 6’1” defenceman plays a fast, puck-moving game and will be steady and reliable on defence for the Senators.

Heading Washington’s way is Jakob Chychrun, who skated in 94 regular season games during his time with the Senators. The defenceman recorded 16 goals and 30 assists for a total of 46 points in that span. Chychrun was originally acquired from the Arizona Coyotes via trade on March 1, 2023.

David Perron signs two-year deal with the Sens

Shortly after the trade to acquire Nick Jensen, the Senators signed their first free agent of the day. The signing of forward David Perron through the 2025-26 season saw the Sens instantly bolster their forward core with an experienced and effective veteran of 17 years.

In his last season with the Red Wings, Perron played in 76 regular season games, in which he scored 17 goals and 30 assists to total 47 points. Over 1,131 career games, Perron has totalled 310 goals and 458 assists, equating to 768 points.

Drafted 26^th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Perron has split his NHL career between St. Louis, Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Vegas, and Detroit. The Sherbrooke, Québec native also brings 104 playoff games of experience to the Sens. He holds a career total of 61 playoff points (24 goals, 37 assists) in that time.

Perron provides the Senators with a winning pedigree, having won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. The following 2019-20 season saw Perron named to the 2020 Metropolitan Division NHL All-Star team.

Noah Gregor signs one-year deal with the Sens

Continuing to bolster their forward depth, the Senators quickly followed the Perron contract by signing forward Noah Gregor to a one-year contract. The contract sees the Senators provided with valuable speed and energy upfront, carrying through the 2024-25 season.

Skating in 63 regular season games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, Gregor, 25, recorded six goals and six assists for a 12-point total. Over the span of his 241-game career, Gregor has totalled 32 goals and 31 assists for 63 points. The Beaumont, Alberta native was taken 111^th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks, with whom the forward has spent the majority of his five-year NHL career.

Gregor won silver with Team Canada at the 2022 World Championship in Finland, where he played alongside current-Sens Drake Batherson and Thomas Chabot. Gregor recorded two goals and an assist for three points in seven games at the tournament.

Michael Amadio signs three-year deal with the Sens

The Senators didn’t stop there, as the team next signed forward Michael Amadio through the 2026-27 season. Amadio joins Ottawa with a winning pedigree, having won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. The forward, 28, will provide the Senators with offence and valuable playoff experience.

This isn’t Amadio’s first time with the Senators, having previously played five games with the team during the 2021-22 season. In that time, Amadio recorded one assist. Amadio was previously acquired by the Senators from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenceman Christian Wolanin.

Amadio spent the 2023-24 season with the Vegas Golden Knights, skating in 73 games for the team. In that time, the 28-year-old forward recorded 14 goals and 13 assists for a total of 27 points. In 369 career NHL games, split between Ottawa, Vegas, Los Angeles, and Toronto, Amadio has recorded 112 points in the form of 57 goals and 55 assists. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native was drafted by the Kings 90^thoverall in the third round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Garrett Pilon signs two-year, two-way deal with the Sens

The first Senators player of the day to be signed came in the form of Garrett Pilon. Signing a two-year, two-way extension, the forward secured his spot in the Sens' system through the 2025-26 season.

The contract is worth $775,000 in the NHL and $275,000 in the AHL for the 2024-25 season, and $775,000 (NHL) and $300,000 (AHL) for the 2025-26 season.

Pilon, 26, spent the 2023-24 season with Ottawa’s AHL club, the Belleville Senators. Skating in 62 regular season games, the forward recorded a total of 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points. Pilon appeared in all seven of Belleville’s playoff games, where he totalled five points (three goals, two assists).

In 321 career AHL games, split between Belleville and the Hershey Bears, Pilon has combined 78 goals and 125 assists for a 203-point total. The Mineola, New York native previously won the AHL’s Calder Cup Championship with the Bears following the 2022-23 season. Drafted 87^th overall by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Pilon has skated in three NHL games, all with Washington. He has recorded one career NHL goal, which came on November 16, 2021, against the Anaheim Ducks.

Jérémy Davies signs one-year, two-way deal with the Sens

The Senators' first defenceman acquired via free agency was Jérémy Davies. The Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec native was drafted 192^nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The defenceman, 27, has 23 NHL games under his belt, split between the Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres.

The defenceman has skated in 257 AHL games over the course of five seasons, producing 33 goals and 93 assists for 126 points. His AHL career has seen him play for the Milwaukee Admirals, the Chicago Wolves, and the Rochester Americans. In 28 AHL playoff games, Davies has recorded two goals and 12 assists for a 14-point total. Davies’ 2023-24 AHL season with the Americans saw him score 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 66 games. A reliable defenceman with the ability to contribute offensively, Davies is a valuable addition to the Senators.

Hear from President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios

Steve Staios spoke to the media following the days' events.

For continued Ottawa Senators Free Agency coverage, follow the Ottawa Senators' socials and on the web.

Ottawa Senators official site:https://www.nhl.com/senators/

Follow the Senators on Instagram:senators

Engage with the Senators on X:@Senators

Like the Senators on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ottawasenators