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Per the organization's official Twitter account, center Kyle Turris has signed a five-year extension to remain with the Ottawa Senators. Turris was slated to become a Restricted Free Agent at the end of this season.

Turris, acquired by the Ottawa Senators in the middle of last season in a deal that sent blue-chip prospect David Rundblad to Phoenix, proved to be a more than capable second-line center behind the venerable Jason Spezza. While Turris' point totals didn't jump off off of the page -- 12G/17A (29 PTS) in 49 GP -- the coaching staff was extremely impressed with his progress in such a small window.

The twenty-three year old's five-year extension will leave him with the club through his expected playing prime, and the number -- a $3.5M AAV -- is hardly pricy. The organization made a smart choice to re-up Turris before what could be his most productive season at the NHL level, and in doing so avoided the trouble of negotiating with an RFA-to-be that may be looking at more money over a longer-term.

To the point above, I spoke rather in-depth as to why it wouldn't be surprising at all for Kyle Turris to breakout next season in the points department. To summarize: He was one of the team's more effective two-way players by a fair margin last year, but suffered from a rather unlucky individual and collective shooting percentage when on the ice. Considering his natural skill set, those numbers should regress to a natural mean, and Turris' stats should inflate accordingly.

The 0.59 PPG average posted this season is a floor of sorts -- I'd hardly expect Turris to tread below that mark as he continues to improve and fill out his frame. Even if he just maintains that split through a healthy-eighty two game season, you're looking at 20G/28A.

In Turris, the team found an external option to fill the 2LC void left by the trade that sent Mike Fisher down to Nashville at a more-than respectable $3.5M annual cap hit. Smart business when it's all said and done.

Expectations have now risen for Turris, but considering last year's forty-nine game window, my guess is that he'll flourish.

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