from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

With less than a month to the opening of training camp, the Senators and restricted free agent defenceman Jared Cowen are still trying to get a contract in place as the sides try to find common ground on length and dollars.

League sources confirmed to the Sun Thursday the Senators have tabled an eight-year, $28-million offer — an average of $3.5 million per season — to Cowen’s camp.

It hasn’t been rejected, but the deal’s not done, either.

It is similar to the seven-year, $28-million contract signed by New York Islanders blueliner Travis Hamonic, which pays him an average of $4 million per season.

The two sides have exchanged several proposals and are still trying to find the route to a contract.

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