Senators End the Wait on Formenton
The Ottawa Senators have made their long-awaited decision on the NHL rights of forward Alex Formenton, bringing an end to one of the more drawn-out roster questions facing the franchise in recent memory.
Formenton, a former second-round pick selected 47th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, had shown flashes of NHL-calibre speed and skill during his time in Ottawa. His skating ability was considered elite, and he posted a 22-goal season with the Senators in 2021–22 that had the fan base excited about his future in the nation's capital.
A Career Put on Hold
However, Formenton stepped away from hockey following allegations tied to the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship. He returned to Europe to play rather than pursuing his NHL career with Ottawa, leaving his status with the club in an extended state of limbo.
The Senators held onto his rights throughout that period, a decision that generated considerable debate among fans and analysts. Some felt the organization needed to move on entirely; others believed keeping the door open made sense until more clarity emerged.
What It Means for the Senators
With this decision now made, the Senators can direct their full roster-building attention elsewhere as they look to build on recent progress under head coach Travis Green. Ottawa has been reshaping its roster with an eye toward sustained playoff contention, and having any lingering question marks resolved — regardless of the outcome — allows management to focus resources on the road ahead.
General manager Steve Staios has been aggressive in addressing the team's needs, and cleaning up uncertain roster situations is part of that broader organizational effort to sharpen the Senators' identity going into next season.
Senators Fans React
For the Ottawa fanbase, the Formenton situation has been a difficult one to navigate — balancing natural excitement about a homegrown prospect's potential against the serious nature of the allegations involved. The resolution, whatever form it takes, allows the community conversation to move forward as well.
Ottawa's rebuild has come a long way since the difficult post-Erik Karlsson years, and the front office is clearly focused on the bigger picture: a roster capable of competing in a stacked Eastern Conference.
The Senators open training camp in the fall with a group that includes Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and a core of promising young players. This latest front-office move is one more step in defining what the next chapter of Senators hockey looks like in the nation's capital.
Source: NHL Trade Rumors via Google News
