Bourgault Arbitration Settled
Ottawa Senators finalize one-year contract with forward Xavier Bourgault after arbitration filing
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The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Xavier Bourgault to a one-year deal worth $850,000 at the NHL level and $265,000 in the AHL, according to Ottawa Sun. Bourgault was the only Senator among 15 NHL players who filed for salary arbitration this offseason, and the two sides settled before a hearing was needed.
The deal is worth the league minimum at the NHL level. Bourgault had been earning a base salary of $90,000 in the AHL, making the raise to $265,000 in the minors a significant jump for the young forward.
Bourgault Among 15 Players Who Filed for Arbitration
Bourgault was one of 15 players across the NHL to file for salary arbitration this offseason, according to Brantford Expositor. He was the only Ottawa Senator to do so. Filing for arbitration allows a player to have a neutral third party set his salary if the team and player cannot agree.
Both sides settled before a hearing took place. That is common in arbitration cases — teams and players often use the filing as leverage to push talks forward and reach a deal on their own terms.
A Big Raise in the AHL Likely Drove the Filing
Bourgault's previous AHL base salary was $90,000. His new deal pays him $265,000 at that level, according to Calgary Sun. That is nearly a three-times increase in his minor-league pay. The arbitration filing was likely aimed at securing exactly that kind of raise.
At the NHL level, the contract is worth $850,000 — the league minimum for the 2026-27 season. If Bourgault earns a spot on the big club, he would earn that figure. If he plays in the AHL, he gets the $265,000 rate.
What the Contract Means for Bourgault's Path to Ottawa
The one-year length of the deal keeps both sides flexible. Bourgault gets a chance to prove he belongs at the NHL level. The Senators keep the door open to either promote or part ways with him after one season.
The contract includes unlimited call-up rights between the NHL and AHL, according to Ottawa Sun. That means Ottawa can move Bourgault up and down freely based on roster needs. It gives the team maximum flexibility with the young forward heading into camp.
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