The Ottawa Senators secured defenseman Jordan Spence on a four-year, $20 million contract Friday, preventing him from hitting the open market as a restricted free agent. General manager Steve Staios praised Spence's impact on the blue line, particularly his ability to step up during injury crises that threatened the team's playoff hopes.

Spence delivered a career-best seven goals and 31 points across 73 games last season, averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time. His emergence proved vital after joining Ottawa in a June 2025 trade from Los Angeles, where he began his NHL career in 2021-22. The 25-year-old became a reliable top-four defenseman when the Senators needed stability most.

Ottawa also acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson from Toronto, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to complete the deal. Ersson posted a 14-11-5 record with a 3.12 goals-against average and .870 save percentage last season for Philadelphia before being dealt to the Leafs earlier this month. His addition gives Ottawa more depth in net heading into training camp.

By locking up Spence and adding Ersson, Ottawa addresses two positional needs while managing salary cap commitments. The moves signal Staios is building around his core group rather than making splashy free-agent signings.