This article says an “optimized” salary for a 2nd line center would be $6.5 m. If it's “optimized”, then
$6.5 m is best case scenario (the lowest).
So, he’s overpaid by about $1.45 m (maximum) according to this source.
Trying to Improve the team is always good, but I’d also wonder about the cost in terms of assets that would be required to get an actual improvement. The Senators do not appear to in the same position as the Hurricanes who are basically all in trying for the Cup this year.
sites.northwestern.edu