Mark Stone OTT

Mark Stone signed a one-year contract worth $7.35 million with the Ottawa Senators on Friday.

The 26-year-old forward, who avoided a salary arbitration hearing that was scheduled for Friday, was tied with defenseman Erik Karlsson for the Senators lead last season with 62 points (20 goals, 42 assists) in 58 games. He has scored at least 20 goals in each of his four full NHL seasons since joining Ottawa full time in 2014-15.
Stone can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. He and the Senators cannot negotiate a new contract until Jan. 1, 2019.
"We're happy to have Mark under contract," general manager Pierre Dorion said. "Mark is a great leader in every sense; a character person, passionate competitor and a talented two-way player. Signing him is the first step in a process that allows us to continue to negotiate a long-term deal in the new year. We look forward to having a long and successful relationship with Mark."
The Senators selected Stone in the sixth round (No. 178) of the 2010 NHL Draft. He has 249 points (95 goals, 154 assists) in 307 NHL games and 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 27 Stanley Cup Playoff games.