FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner skates with the puck against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Glendale, Ariz. The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Boone Jenner to a four-year contract extension. The 25-year-old Dorchester, Ontario, native has been a stalwart presence in the emergence of the Blue Jackets as a playoff team in the last two seasons. The contract signed Wednesday, July 4, 2018, locks up Jenner through the 2021-22 season. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner skates with the puck against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Glendale, Ariz. The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Boone Jenner to a four-year contract extension. The 25-year-old Dorchester, Ontario, native has been a stalwart presence in the emergence of the Blue Jackets as a playoff team in the last two seasons. The contract signed Wednesday, July 4, 2018, locks up Jenner through the 2021-22 season. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) Credit: ap file — Ross D. Franklin

Columbus, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed forward Boone Jenner to a four-year, $15 million contract, locking up a player who has been a stalwart presence in the team’s emergence as a playoff contender.

The Blue Jackets announced the deal on Thursday. The contract pays the 25-year-old Jenner $3.75 million annually through the 2021-22 season, according to a person with direct knowledge of the contract who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Blue Jackets didn’t reveal the value of the deal.

Jenner was a restricted free agent who made $2.9 million in 2017-18, a season in which he missed all of training camp and the first seven games of the season with a back injury.

Although his numbers have fallen off since he scored 30 goals in 2015-16, Jenner was an alternate captain and key contributor down the stretch last season, which ended in a first-round playoff loss to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.

The native of Dorchester, Ontario, said he was happy to get the four-year deal after starting his NHL career with the Blue Jackets. He’ll likely be the left wing on the second or third line.

Knights’ Karlsson LeadsAbritration Group

New York — Vegas forward William Karlsson is among 43 NHL players seeking salary arbitration after he finished third in the NHL in scoring with the expansion Golden Knights last season.

Two more Golden Knights, defenseman Colin Miller and forward Tomas Nosek, also are on the list of players electing to have an arbitrator determine their contracts, the NHL Players Association announced on Thursday.

The number was 44 before the Carolina Hurricanes agreed to a $4.6 million, two-year contract with defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, a restricted free agent. Van Riemsdyk will make $2.1 million next season and $2.5 million in the final year of the deal.

Karlsson had a career-best 43 goals and 78 points, putting himself in position to earn a considerable raise after completing a two-year, $2 million contract.

Habs’ Weber Out 5-6 Months

Montreal — Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber will be out for an extended period after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The Canadiens said on Thursday that Weber’s recovery time is expected to be five to six months, meaning he won’t be suiting up until December at the earliest.

It’s the second surgery this year for Weber, who had a torn tendon in his left foot repaired in March.

Team surgeon Dr. David Mulder said the damage to Weber’s knee was discovered last month as part of his rehabilitation from foot surgery. The 32-year-old Weber said earlier this year that his foot injury occurred in Montreal’s season opener against the Buffalo Sabres.

Assistant Joins Trotz in N.Y.

East Meadow, n.y. — Barry Trotz has added former Washington Capitals assistant Lane Lambert to his New York Islanders coaching staff.

The Islanders announced the hiring on Thursday, saying Lambert would be the associate coach. The 53-year-old had served the past four seasons as the assistant coach with the recently crowned Stanley Cup champions.

Before joining the Capitals, Lambert spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators. He also served as head coach of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals from 2007-11.

Lambert played in the NHL with Detroit, the Rangers and Quebec from 1883-88. He started coaching in 2003.

Sens’ Lawyer: Drop Charges

Buffalo, n.y. — The lawyer representing Ottawa Senators assistant general manager Randy Lee tells The Associated Press he will enter a not guilty plea and file a motion to dismiss harassment charges during his client’s appearance today in Buffalo city court. Attorney Paul Cambria declined further comment in a text sent on Thursday to the AP.

A spokesman for the Erie County district attorney’s office said prosecutors would oppose the motion to have the charges dismissed.

The prosecution is scheduled to file a second charge of harassment against Lee, who has been suspended by the Senators. Lee is accused of making lewd comments and rubbing the shoulders of a 19-year-old male shuttle driver in May, when Buffalo was hosting the NHL rookie combine.

The additional charge falls under a separate subsection of the legal code outlining the violation of harassment. It defines harassment as someone who “repeatedly commits acts which alarm or seriously annoy” another person and “serve no legitimate purpose.”

That’s different from the initial charge, which defines harassment as someone striking or making physical contact with another person.

Lee was arrested May 31 after prosecutors say he continued placing his hands on the driver’s shoulders even after being told to stop.

The driver’s attorney, Charles Desmond, told the AP this week he is monitoring the court proceeding to determine whether to file a civil suit against Lee.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey