Senators sign Bobby Ryan to 7-year contract extension, select Erik Karlsson as captain

Bobby Ryan, left, and Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Ottawa Senators NHL hockey team, hold Ryan's jersey at a news conference Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, in Ottawa. Ryan was signed to a seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick) (The Associated Press)

Erik Karlsson, left, and Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Ottawa Senators NHL hockey team, hold Karlsson's jersey at a news conference Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, in Ottawa. Karlsson was named captain of the Senators. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick) (The Associated Press)

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators signed forward Bobby Ryan to a $50.75 million, seven-year extension on Friday.

The Senators also selected star defenseman Erik Karlsson as the ninth captain in franchise history.

The signing of Ryan solidifies the Senators lineup as they have Karlsson, Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur signed to long-term deals.

The captain announcement came 15 years after Daniel Alfreddson started his long and successful run wearing the "C'' in Ottawa.

Karlsson takes over the leadership role from Jason Spezza, who was captain for just one year before being traded to the Dallas Stars this summer.