OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators signed center Chris Kelly to a four-year, $8.5 million deal today.

Kelly was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent when his current one-year contract with Ottawa, worth $1.263 million, expires on July 1.

"It's a great feeling," Kelly said. "I've only ever been on a one-year deal other than my entry level contract. I couldn't imagine being in a better spot for another four years. I didn't really want to move."

The speedy penalty killing specialist had played every game of the last three seasons until a leg injury sidelined him for the last seven games of this past regular season and Ottawa's four playoff games.

Kelly has 36 goals and 62 assists in 243 regular-season games, all with the Senators.