By Canadian Press

Ottawa Senators sign veteran defenceman Ron Hainsey to one-year contract

Jul 1, 2019 | 12:04 PM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators added a veteran voice to their young blue line in free agency Monday, signing defenceman Ron Hainsey to a one-year contract worth US$3.5 million.

Hainsey, 38, had five goals and 23 points in 81 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018-19.

In parts of 16 NHL seasons with seven different teams, Hainsey has registered 58 goals and 299 points in 1,068 games. 

The native of Boulton, Conn., has added 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 39 playoff contests, winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017.

“We have talked about our desire to bring in quality veterans to help our younger players on their development path and Ron fits that role perfectly,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said in a statement.

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Another player from the Battle of Ontario switched sides later in the day as the Senators signed ex-Leafs forward Tyler Ennis to a one-year, $800,000 contract.

Ennis, 29, scored 12 goals and added six assists for 18 points in 51 games with the Leafs last season. A three-time 20-goal scorer in the NHL, the Edmonton native was the Buffalo Sabres’ first-round selection (26th overall) in the 2008 draft.

“Tyler brings speed, skill and experience on the ice and he’s a leader with great work habits,” said Dorion. 

The rebuilding Senators also made a trade with Toronto on Monday, acquiring Nikita Zaitsev from the Leafs for fellow defenceman Cody Ceci and forward Connor Brown in a six-player trade.

Ottawa hired former D.J. Smith, who was an assistant in Toronto the last four seasons, as its new head coach in May.

The Senators also signed forward Jordan Szwarz to a one-year, two-way deal on Monday. The contract will carry an annual value of $800,000 in the NHL and $425,000 in the American Hockey League.

The 28-year-old native of Burlington, Ont., played in the AHL all-star game as a member of the Providence Bruins last season.

The Canadian Press