The Ottawa Senators avoided another date with the arbitrator Tuesday, this time a little earlier than less than 24 hours notice as they did with Connor Brown – signing Chris Tierney to a two-year, $7 million contract.
Tierney who had an arbitration hearing scheduled for November 8, will earn $2.8M next season, $4.2M in Year Two.
“I’m really happy to get it done. I don’t think any player or team really wants to go to arbitration. You hear a lot of stories and it doesn’t sound good from either side. I really wanted to get something done and avoid that,” said the 26-year old from his home in Southern Ontario via a Zoom call Tuesday afternoon.
“And that fact that arbitration would’ve been a one-year deal and we got two is great. I’m just really happy to be back in Ottawa.”
The dependable centre compiled 11 goals, 26 assists in 71 games last season, his second with the Senators since being acquired in a swap that sent Erik Karlsson to the Sharks in September 2018.
A penalty-killing specialist, Tierney finished in a four-way tie for tops in the NHL in shorthanded goals. His four shorthanded markers tied him with former Senator Vladislav Namestnikov who scored all four of his goals with the club prior to his trade to the Avalanche at the deadline. Hurricanes Sebastian Aho and Flyers Kevin Hayes also netted four each.
Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion said of Tierney in a team release, “He’s a reliable veteran who has very good hockey sense and who is consistently among our best centres in faceoff success rate. That he’s accumulated significant NHL experience in a short period of time is also of considerable importance to the club.”
Tierney’s possessed a 51.2 percent success rate on draws in 2019-20 and has amassed 476 games including playoffs during his six-year NHL career.
The Sharks 2012 second-round pick may slide into a no.1 centre role, possibly between Brady Tkachuk and Evgenii Dadonov, but Tierney’s versatility allows him to skate anywhere within the Senators lineup.
“I think it’s just going to be talking to (head coach) D.J. (Smith) when I get to camp and seeing where he wants me to play. Obviously, we have a lot of young guys coming up that are going to be good players. I just want to try to be a leader for this team, still try to be a good player. I still want to play big minutes. I still want to contribute both defensively and offensively to this team – really looking forward to see what kind of role that D.J. has for me, and kind of grow into it,” Tierney explained.
At 26, Tierney also realizes that he’s now one of the elder statesmen among the team’s forward core.
“I think it gets to a point, a certain amount of games – you’re getting to a certain age – certainly with the team we have, we’re going to have a lot of young guys – you need to kind of transition into a leadership role. That’s what I want to do this year – kind of become a leader, help some of the young guys out. If they have any questions about anything or just leading by example on the ice in practices or games, I’m looking forward to developing and adding that to my game.”
Like other Senators interviewed recently, Tierney too is impressed by Dorion’s acquisitions.
“I think they went out and got a lot of key pieces so far that will make the team better. (Matt) Murray is a really good goalie in this league. He’s won before. He knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, along with (Evgenii) Dadonov, who’s a great scorer, put up 60-70 points the last couple of years. So that’s another weapon we can add to our team. We’ve got a couple of other guys (Josh Brown, Erik Gudbranson) on the back end that are big bodies, good leaders. We got Austin Watson. I played with him in junior. He’s a great player. I’m really liking what we’re adding to the team.”
Tierney and Watson were teammates on a 2012 London Knights club that won the Ontario League championship.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
“He came over in what I think was my second year. It was his fourth. He ended playing unbelievable for us. We won the OHL championship. He won the MVP. At the Memorial Cup, he was a star there too. I think he’s an underrated player. I think Ottawa fans and people watching him play will be impressed in his details of the game. He’s a long guy. He’s got a good stick. He’s got more skill and more awareness and more hockey sense than people give him credit for. I’m looking forward to watching him again,” said Tierney of one the newest Senators.
Tierney has spent the summer training at the Gary Roberts High Performance Training centre in Aurora and has been doing so since he was only 16-years old.
On his experience with training under Roberts, “It’s been great. Every year I’ve been learning something different. Starting in junior, trying to develop into a man almost, build strength, build conditioning, figure out your body really well. Growing at that age is cool. Now being midway through my twenties, I think just keeping and maintaining your strength and just getting your conditioning level up to the highest it can be when you come back for the season. It’s been great. He focuses on nutrition, training, just taking care of your body. It’s great training with a lot of other NHL pros that you can take advice from and watch as well. It’s been a great experience with him.”
Like many NHL players, Tierney is chomping at the bit to return to training camp, especially for the Senators as they haven’t hit the ice since March 11 in Los Angeles.
“It’s been a weird process. It’s been a really long off-season, feels like I’ve been in the gym and skating forever now without playing in a game. It’s starting to get to the point where you’re just itching to get back on the ice and competing in real games. It’s nice and it’s getting closer now. When they do set a date, it’ll be nice to being able to make a plan when you start ramping up slower and slower and slower to when you hit your peak and you’re in full stride when camp starts. I’m just really looking forward to them kind of setting a date.”
“It’s been weird. You don’t want to start in June and be skating for three months hard. You don’t want to burn yourself out or over-do anything in the middle of summer when you’re trying to prepare for so much longer. I think it’s important to kind of stay in shape right now. You work out for two months, take a three-four day break, and then get back at it. I think it’s important to keep fresh. I think when they set that date, it gives you a firmer timeline, so you know to skate more and more – get your conditioning up a little higher before camp. And then like I said, you’re feeling fresh and in good shape when you’re ready to go.”
Whatever that start date is, Senators’ Chris Tierney will be rest-assured ready for puck-drop.
The post Contract in Hand, Senators’ Chris Tierney Training Hard Toward a New Season appeared first on Full Press Hockey.
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Ep 234: Madman Trade Showby Full Press Coverage on June 23, 2022 at 9:36 pm
-
Ep 233: Rookie Draft Roundupby Full Press Coverage on June 9, 2022 at 2:59 am
-
Ep 232: Philosophy of Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:32 pm
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
From Full Press Hockey Weekly, Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel give their […]
-
Patriots Odds To Win AFC... I'll Take That Betby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:58 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, hosts Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the New […]
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Ian and John react to the Kevin Durant trade request and the wild start to […]
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Ian and John discuss the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and the […]
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John are back to discuss the World Series of Poker, the NBA Finals […]
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 5 and what they have to do […]
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 4 and look ahead to Game 5 […]
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics Game Two win as well as if they are […]
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tom Brady non answer, Jason Alexander's weekend, […]
-
6/6 - Josh Allen Overhyped? Celtics/Warriors Game Twoby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Ian and John discuss whether or not Josh Allen is being overhyped and they […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Talkamania Episode 228by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:04 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 188 "MITB Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on June 26, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Rucker and Marty are back talking the updated Forbidden Door ppv, injuries […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 186 "Cody Did What?"by Boot 2 The Face on June 13, 2022 at 12:21 am
Boys are back talking WWE HIAC, and the crazy effort put forth by Cody […]
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
-
Ep 74: Bruce Cassidy Fired; Bergeron Returning?; Bruins Front Office Blameby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 5:48 pm
-
Patriots Odds To Win AFC... I'll Take That Betby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:58 pm
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
-
Hockey Hall of Fame Reaction; Making The Case For Alexander Mogilnyby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep. 191 - Kyrie Irving Craziness Part 2000by Full Press Coverage on June 28, 2022 at 11:07 pm
-
Episode 53 Criss Partee breaks down the latest NBA offseason newsby Full Press Coverage on June 28, 2022 at 5:50 am
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
-
6/6 - Josh Allen Overhyped? Celtics/Warriors Game Twoby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
-
6/3 - Celtics Take Game One From Golden Stateby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:46 pm
-
5/27 - RIP Ray Liotta; Golden State Advances; Celtics On The Vergeby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm