It’s hard to see certain teams making moves even if necessary, whether due to backlash or potential fan backlash. However, there is no denying that these players can offer something to an NHL club and have the experience to back it up.
One of the players involved, Alex Formenton, has already continued his career in Switzerland with HC Ambri-Piotta; a team he has a lot of familiarity and success with, but as always, the NHL remains the ultimate goal.
Well, he might be getting his wish according to NHL insider Darren Dreger.
Dreger spoke on TSN’s Insider Trading on Thursday and explained that Formenton wants to return to the NHL but that Ottawa doesn’t want him around and is buying his rights:
“And for Alex Formenton, 26, another path, who plays in Switzerland and would like to return to the NHL. There is nothing imminent there.
We know that Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios publicly announced that Formenton would not be returning to Ottawa, but Staios has given Formenton’s agent, Darren Ferris, permission to talk to other NHL clubs about possibly trading his rights. “So there is nothing imminent, but Formenton would also like to return.”
Ferris has been a busy man this summer, what with the Mitch Marner situation and now Staios is basically telling him to find a new place for his client.
Ottawa has definitely moved on from its former second-round pick, and with the stalemate up front plus a fan backlash that could get out of control; Staios wants to wash his hands.
Formenton, 26, was selected 47th overall by the Senators in 2017, ahead of names like Fabian Zetterlund, Morgan Geekie and Mario Ferraro.
In his career he has 39 points in 109 games (23 goals, 16 assists) and his best season was 2021-22 when he scored 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists).
While it’s not guaranteed that Formenton will be able to land a job in the NHL this season, he certainly has the right to look for a new home and it will be up to Ferris to make sure that happens.