Former Edmonton Oilers first-round pick Xavier Bourgault has a new contract, agreeing to terms with the Ottawa Senators on a one-year, two-way deal worth $850,000 at the NHL level and $265,000 in the minors, avoiding arbitration in the process.
The Oilers selected Bourgault 22nd overall in the 2021 draft after a standout QMJHL season with the Shawinigan Cataractes, where he racked up 36 goals and 75 points in just 43 games the year following his draft year. He never cracked Edmonton’s lineup, however, and was dealt to Ottawa in 2024 as part of the club’s ongoing roster management around its championship-contending core.
Advertisement
Since arriving in Ottawa, Bourgault has spent the bulk of his development in the AHL, but last season marked real progress. He posted 25 goals and 57 points in 70 games with AHL Belleville, good for second on the team in scoring, and earned his first two NHL appearances with the Senators, including his debut on Dec. 27 in Toronto.
While he’s yet to record an NHL point, the offensive jump at the AHL level suggests he could push for a more consistent role in Ottawa this season.
It’s a notable outcome for a player once viewed as a building block of Edmonton’s prospect pipeline — Bourgault now looks likely to get a legitimate shot in a Senators organization that’s undergone its own dramatic offseason, headlined by the trade of captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida.
Advertisement
For Oilers fans, Bourgault’s development is a bit of a sore spot, not just because he has the ability to become a legit NHL player, but also because he’s a reminder of the prospects Edmonton gave up on in their thus-far failed attempts to win a Stanley Cup.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.
Read the full article here
