Ninety regular season games and two major surgeries into his NHL career, Jared Cowen has become the second highest paid Senators defenceman.

The 22-year-old blueliner ended his training camp lockout at 6:25 p.m., Friday, Day 3 of training camp, by agreeing to a four-year, $12.4-million contract.

The deal, which was announced Saturday morning, carries a $3.1-million annual cap hit for the Senators. Chris Phillips, who is about to embark on his 16th season, has a $3.083-million cap hit, while seven-year veteran Marc Methot's is an even $3 million.

Phillips is entering the last year of his deal, while Methot is eligible to become a UFA in 2015.

Erik Karlsson is the highest paid Senators rearguard with a $6.5-million cap hit through to 2019.

"You go through a hard negotiation and things are said, but we obviously love this guy," assistant GM Tim Murray said of Cowen. "As a player, as a person, he's what we want. He's kind of a poster boy of what we want here. He works extremely hard, he's low maintenance, he plays hard, he competes. I'm just happy it's over and I hope he's as happy as we are."

Cowen, who is home in Saskatoon, will join the team when it gets there for a pre-season game Monday against the Calgary Flames. Senators doctors on the trip will give him a medical and he could be on the ice for the morning skate.

"With some players, you might be concerned (about missing the start of camp)," said Murray. "But I know what Jared is doing at home. He's working as hard at home by himself as he would be here with his teammates. He's going to come in here and, I believe, not miss a beat."

Cowen might already be a proven Top 4 defenceman if not for a knee injury coming out of junior hockey and a hip injury last season. He returned from surgery on the latter to play the last seven regular-season games and 10 in the playoffs.

"If you talk about a guy like this becoming a top player, and I've talked about hurdles ... down the road you want Hockey Canada to recognize (him) as a top player," said Murray. "Working on one- or two-year deals, then maybe going to arbitration after that, you're always at loggerheads. That's what I explained from our point of view.

"The longer-term deal didn't work, but a four-year deal ... he doesn't have to worry about things for a couple of years here. He can just come in and become the player he's supposed to be.

"And if he does become that, after four years he can hit a home run. That should be his goal, and our goal is to help him do that."

While Karlsson and Methot will form the Senators' top defensive pairing, it's unclear where Cowen will fit in. Likely, he'll be on the second unit, with either Phillips or Patrick Wiercioch as his partner.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound former ninth overall pick (2009) will provide plenty of muscle on the back end and play a key role on the penalty kill.

Coach Paul MacLean is looking forward to having time with young players he says are in "good places" with their long-term contracts like Cowen, Karlsson, Kyle Turris, Zack Smith and Colin Greening.

"I think if he didn't get signed, it would be a big void in our lineup," assistant captain Chris Neil said of Cowen. "It's pretty hard to find guys that size with that ability.

"We're happy as anything to see him sign."

COWEN DEAL BREAKDOWN

2013-14: $1.5 million

2014-15: $2.7 million

2015-16: $3.7 million

2016-17: $4.5 million

don.brennan@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @SunDoniB

WE ASKED YOU: Cowen, Sens saga survey

How many years do you think the Sens should sign Jared Cowen for?

3-4 YEARS - 55% 1-3 YEARS - 21% 4-10 YEARS - 13% 1 YEAR: 3% 1O+ YEARS - 1%

How much money do you think Jared Cowen is worth (per year)?

LESS THAN $5 - 95% $5-10M - 4% MORE THAN $10M - 1%

Who do you think is holding up the contract talks?

RICK VALLETTE - 71% JARED COWEN - 20% OTTAWA SENS - 9%

If the Sens don't sign Jared Cowen, who should take his place?