Breaking: Sens sign veteran NHLer to PTO contract

The Ottawa Senators have reportedly signed NHL veteran Chris VandeVelde to a professional tryout (PTO) contract. Send beat reporter Ian Mendes broke the news on social media early this afternoon:

VandeVelde, a 30-year-old center from Moorhead, Minnesota, was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 4th round (97th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. After spending parts of three seasons with the Oilers and their AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City, VandeVelde sign with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free-agent in 2013. 

Since then the fourth line grinder has managed to put together three consecutive seasons in the NHL with the Flyers, putting up six goals and 15 points in 81 games with the team last season. While it remains to be seen how exactly he fits into the Sens’ plans, he’ll at the very least provide some competition for the team’s young players like Colin White, Ryan Dzingel and Filip Chlapik.