Senators sign Zack Smith to 4-year, $13M extension

The Ottawa Senators have locked up Zack Smith, signing the forward to a four-year, $13-million contract extension, the club announced Monday.

Smith, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, will earn $3.25 million in annual salary for the next four seasons. It's a healthy pay bump from the $1.88 million he's earned annually on his current deal - also a four-year pact.

Smith will have some protection with a limited no-trade clause, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports.

Coming off his career-best 25-goal season last year, Smith, 28, has hit double-digit totals in goals and assists through 43 games this season, scoring 11 times and racking up 22 points.

A middle-six contributor, Smith has had a reasonably effective impact on total shot attempts throughout his last four seasons in Ottawa, as he's toggled between functions.

In a conference call shortly after the announcement, Smith said the Senators' direction was one of the greater selling points.

"I'm very happy to get this done, and I'm looking forward to the future here in Ottawa," he said.