Senators, Xavier Bourgault Avoid Arbitration

The Ottawa Senators have come to terms on a new contract with one of their forward prospects, avoiding arbitration. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Senators have signed forward Xavier Bourgault to a one-year, $850K contract for the 2026-27 season. Additionally, Bourgault will earn a salary of $265K at the AHL level. Bourgault, 23, has been part of the Senators organization for the past few years. The L’Islet, Quebec native was originally drafted with the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, and traded to the Senators in 2024. Although he has fallen short of…