Another minor league contract came down today, this time from the Ottawa Senators. The team has signed Max McCormick to a two-year contract that will be two-way in the first season, and transition to a one-way deal in 2018-19. Both seasons will pay McCormick $650K at the NHL level. McCormick was set to become a Group VI free agent on July 1st.
A sixth-round pick of the Senators in the 2011 draft, McCormick has developed into a solid AHL scoring threat capable of 20+ goals every year. That scoring ability hasn’t translated to the NHL yet though, as he’s registered just two goals in 27 career games. The forward loves to get his hands dirty, and could provide some depth for the Senators bottom-six this season. If anything he could likely fill a similar role to Chris Neil, a much-beloved Senator for many years. With a little bit of skill, and the willingness to protect his teammates McCormick should have a long professional career, even if most of it comes in the minor leagues.
Ottawa has a large group of free agents to still make decisions on, including Tommy Wingels, Viktor Stalberg and Chris Kelly. While it seems unlikely that most of them will return, there is a chance that one or two could re-up with the team for another run at a Stanley Cup.