Senators, Pageau agree

The Ottawa Senators avoided arbitration with restricted free agent forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau by agreeing to terms on a $9.3 million, three-year contract. The center will earn $2.6 million next season, $3.3 million in 2018-19 and $3.4 million in 2019-2020. Pageau, 24, had eight playoff goals last spring as the Senators reached the Eastern Conference final. He had 12 goals and 21 assists in 82 regular-season games. In 251 regular-season games, Pageau has 101 points (45 goals, 56 assists) and 71 penalty minutes. Pageau had four goals — including the game-winner — in Ottawa’s 6-5 double-overtime victory over the New York Rangers in Game 2 of their conference semifinal. The Ottawa native, who grew up in nearby Gatineau, Quebec, has 16 points (12 goals, 4 assists) in 35 playoff games.