Chris Neil, Senators Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

Chris Neil has been with the Ottawa Senators since the team drafted him 18 years ago. He'll be around for at least one more year, as Neil agreed to a one-year extension with the Senators on Saturday, the team announced.

Neil's extension is a $1.5 million deal.

“We’re happy to have reached an agreement with Chris on a contract extension,” Senators general manager Bryan Murray said in a statement. “Chris has long been someone who exemplifies strong work ethic and character while striving to be a leader and a good example for our young players."

The Senators selected Neil in the sixth round (No. 161 overall pick) of the 1998 draft. He spent three seasons in the minors before making his debut in Ottawa during the 2001-02 season. He's third in Senators history in games played (955) and is the franchise leader in penalty minutes (2,416).

An Ontario native, Neil has 10 points in his 14th NHL season for an Ottawa team that is six points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

"On the ice, he's played quality minutes for us this season and continues to play an important role on our team," Murray said in the statement. "I’m additionally glad to see him return in light of what could be a significant milestone for him next season and something that would only be fitting to see him achieve in a Senators uniform.”

The right winger leads Ottawa in penalty minutes this season with 122. Neil, 36, is the oldest player on the sixth-youngest team in the NHL, and his veteran leadership could rub off on an Ottawa team that still has a shot at making the playoffs.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com. Follow Danny Webster on Twitter.