The Ottawa Senators announced on Sunday that they've signed defenceman Lassi Thomson to a one-year, two-way contract for the coming season. The deal carries an average annual value of $775,000 in the NHL and $300,000 in the AHL. Thomson is still just 24 and was originally selected by Ottawa in the first round (19th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. That was a pick that was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Matt Duchene trade, so Thomson's return injects some life into Duchene's fallen trade tree. THN's Steve Warne and "The Coach" Gregg Kennedy discuss Nick Jensen's hip surgery last month. Thomson spent the 2024-25 season with the Malmö Redhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/ottawa-senators-2019-first-rounder-lassi-thomson-signs-with-swedish-pro-team] of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), where he put up 17 goals and 29 points in 50 games. But he continued to be an RFA on this side of the pond and the Sens retained his NHL rights. It would be fabulous for the club if the year away helped Thomson restore some of that first-round swagger. The Finnish defenceman has only appeared in 18 career games with the Senators, recording five assists. He was briefly claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/former-senators-first-rounder-lassi-thomson-claimed-off-waivers-by-anaheim] on October 1, 2023, before being reclaimed by Ottawa just over a week later on October 9. Thomson has also logged some big miles with the AHL's Belleville Senators, putting up 24 goals and 93 points over 202 career games. He continues to be viewed by the organization as a decent two-way defender, and his signing offers the club some insurance heading into training camp, particularly with veteran defenceman Nick Jensen recovering from hip surgery last month. While the nature of Jensen’s hip surgery has not been disclosed, though the team remains optimistic he’ll be ready to start the season. Nikolas Matinpalo is already pencilled in as the club's third-pairing right defenceman, a projection further enhanced by his recent two-year, one-way contract signing [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/ottawa-senators-re-sign-rfa-defenceman-after-breakout-nhl-season]. Thomson's return, along with Carter Yakemchuk's graduation to the pro ranks, simply gives the organization some added depth. It also allows the team to take a measured approach with the highly-touted Yakemchuk. The best in class formula will probably guide them to a decision to leave Yakemchuk in the minors, at least to start the year. Steve Warne The Hockey News
