Battle of Ontario Heats Up as Senators Add their own Tough Guy

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TJ Tucker
July 6, 2023 (2:44 PM)

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After the Toronto Maple Leafs recently added toughness and grit to their lineup, Battle of Ontario rivals the Ottawa Senators have gone out and done the same with a new multi-year deal.

The Sens announced today that forward Zach MacEwen has signed a three-year deal with the team for a total of $2.325 million. That works out to a cap hit of $775,000 per season.

"Zack's a player with strong character who adds increased physicality to our lineup," said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. "He's a hard-nosed, competitive player who's a tenacious forechecker and who demonstrates a routine willingness to go to the hard areas."

MacEwen won't be adding a lot of offense, managing just 28 points in 186 NHL games. But, that's not why he's there. Leafs GM Brad Treliving recently added Ryan Reaves, Max Domi, and Tyler Bertuzzi to his lineup, saying the team needed "a little more snot to our game." Ottawa needs to keep up to with the Leafs, and teams like the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers, who also play in the NHL's Atlantic Division. MacEwan should provide the mucus Ottawa is looking for.

MacEwen was never drafted, instead breaking into the league as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks in 2018-19. He's also played for the Philadelphia Flyers, and was picked up by the LA Kings at last season's trade deadline in an attempt to get tougher for the playoffs.