Juneau

Juneau's agent Larry Kelly told The Sports Network that the former Buffalo Sabre signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract with an option for a second year at $2.2 million. However, the Ottawa Sun reported Sunday that Juneau could make $1.8 million this season, and $2.6 million next year with incentives.

"I had a very good chance to join a team that's going great, a team that really has a chance to go far and win the Stanley Cup," Juneau told the all-sports network. "That's what was really exciting and a big reason why I'm doing this."

Although Ottawa is tied for first in the Northeast Division with Toronto, the Senators' offense needs help with Yashin holding out and right wing Alfredsson out eight to 10 weeks with a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Juneau and the Senators had been negotiating for some time, but talks turned serious on the weekend after Alfredsson was injured.

Juneau said he expects to be in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers, and possibly as early as Thursday against the Calgary Flames.

"I'm shooting for the first game," Juneau told the Sun. "Being at home I had no choice but to stay busy and work out, but I'm looking forward to practicing with the guys.

"I told Larry I didn't care if it took until Christmas (to make a deal), I told him if I had to take less money it was because I wanted a chance to play for a team that could win."

Juneau has scored 113 career goals and 314 assists in 482 games over nine seasons with Boston, Washington and Buffalo.

His best season came in 1992-93, when he notched 102 points with the Bruins, earning a spot on the NHL all-rookie team. After spending eight seasons in Boston and Washington, the Capitals traded the 31-year-old to the Sabres before the trading deadline last season.

Juneau helped the team make the Stanley Cup finals where it lost in six games to the Dallas Stars.

Juneau had just two points in nine games with the Sabres but was more productive in the playoffs, collecting three goals and eight assists in 20 contests.

"Joe is an excellent addition to the Senators lineup and we believe he will fit in nicely within Jacques (Martin's) system and character of the team," Senators general manager Marshall Johnston said. "His eight years of experience with top NHL teams, and the flexibility we have in playing him at left wing or center, will be of benefit to the team."

Shaun Van Allen will join Wade Redden as an assistant captain, Martin said.