The Ottawa Senators have signed goalie Joonas Korpisalo to a five-year contract worth $4 million per season.

Split between Columbus and Los Angeles, Korpisalo had one of his better seasons in 2022-23, posting a 61.5 quality start percentage to go with 12.78 goals saved above average. He posted his worst season before that (4.15 GAA, 0.877 SV%, 22.7 QUAL%, -19.04 GSAA), although a hip issue that eventually required surgery had a lot to do with that result. Regardless, the Senators will be counting on the 2022-23 version of Korpisalo instead of the 2021-22 version.

Judging by the contract situations, the Senators really committed to Korpisalo to be their starter, particularly by giving him a five-year term. Both his cap hit and term exceed that of Anton Forsberg, which means that Forsberg should be pushed down the depth chart if he had any aspirations of being the starter. Forsberg's 2022-23 season ended early after he needed MCL surgery on both of his knees, although he is expected to return to the ice in full equipment this month. A 60/40 split in favor of Korpisalo seems reasonable, although the Senators are banking on Korpisalo playing at least 40 games per season, which is something he has never done.

This signing will also ensure that 22-year-old Mads Sogaard receives more much-needed development time in the AHL. Sogaard was pressed into NHL duty after the injuries to Forsberg and Cam Talbot, playing brilliantly in February before demonstrating his inexperience in early March. Sogaard is worth retaining in keeper leagues if possible, although he now might have a two-year wait with Forsberg signed for that length and Korpisalo signed even longer.

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Players this helps, in order:

Korpisalo

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Players this hurts, in order:

Forsberg

Sogaard