Harpur signs two-year extension as Senators bet on development
Ben Harpur has signed on the dotted line. Now, he has to earn his spot on the Ottawa Senators’ defence.
The Senators signed the 23-year-old Harpur, who has spent most of this season with their American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville, to a twoyear extension that will pay him US$650,000 next season and $800,000 in 2019-20.
While the 6-6 Harpur hasn’t had the kind of season anybody expected after he played a significant role in the 2017 NHL playoffs, the Senators are confident he’ll be able to contribute next season.
His challenge, according to Senators head coach Guy Boucher, is to prove he belongs in the NHL.
“He’s got to take somebody’s spot. That’s where he’s at,” Bouch- er said Friday. “He’s ready to be with us and around us, but he has to come up, be consistent and take somebody’s spot.
“He’s a big body that can be tough, poised with the puck and with great reach, but when he’s at his best, he’s physical, he’s aggressive and he’s got the jump to prevent the opponent from getting the space to score goals.
“When he wasn’t at his best, he was more in contain mode than aggressive mode. With the puck, he’s always been an NHLer. He’s got that poise, smarts and vision. That’s what has developed in the AHL the last (few) years.
“You don’t want him to be a gentle giant. He’s really progressed in that respect. He’s become way tougher and he’s on that cusp right now.”