The Ottawa Senators have signed Forward Ryan Keller to a one-year, two-way contract. Keller led the team with 34 goals and ranked second with 68 points this past season. He was a restricted free-agent, meaning the Senators would have been able to match any offer Keller got from another team.
With Josh Hennessy and Martin St. Pierre likely headed to Switzerland and guys like Jeremy Yablonski and Denis Hamel unsigned, this was a move the Senators definitely needed to make.
Keller, 26, was recalled by the Ottawa Senators on two occasions last season, making his NHL debut in the team's 3-1 loss at New Jersey on Nov. 25. In a total of six NHL contests, he was held scoreless while averaging 6:12 of time-on-ice per game.
Originally signed by the Senators on May 22, 2009, Keller spent the previous two seasons playing for the Espoo Blues of the Finnish Elite League (SM-liiga). In 54 games with the Blues in 2008-09, he led the team in goals (21), assists (34) and points (55).
This was obviously a signing that had to get done, but it is one of many. There is a pretty good chance that with all the big names not signed from Binghamton's 2009-2010 roster, this team could be a shell of its former self when the season starts in October.
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