Senators Move On From Formenton
The Ottawa Senators have officially parted ways with winger Alex Formenton, releasing him and making him an unrestricted free agent, the organization confirmed.
Formenton's departure closes a difficult chapter for the Senators, who had been navigating the fallout from a high-profile legal case involving several members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team. Formenton was among five players from that gold-medal squad charged with sexual assault. All five were subsequently acquitted.
A Career Derailed
Formenton had shown flashes of promise as a speedy winger in the Senators system. His skating ability and penalty-killing instincts made him a useful depth piece on the roster. But the legal proceedings — and the public scrutiny that came with them — cast a long shadow over his tenure in the capital.
While the acquittal cleared Formenton in a court of law, the organization evidently determined that moving forward with him was no longer in the club's best interest. By granting him unrestricted free agent status, the Senators allow him to sign anywhere in the NHL without compensation.
Senators Focused on Rebuild
The move fits within Ottawa's broader organizational reset. The Senators have been aggressively reshaping their roster in recent seasons, prioritizing youth development and culture building as the franchise looks to become a playoff contender. General manager Steve Staios has emphasized accountability and cohesion as cornerstones of the rebuild, and the Formenton decision appears consistent with that philosophy.
Ottawa fans have largely rallied behind the organization's direction under new ownership and management, and moves like this signal a willingness to make difficult decisions for the sake of the team's identity going forward.
What Comes Next
As an unrestricted free agent, Formenton is free to explore the open market. Whether another NHL team opts to take a chance on the 25-year-old will depend on how franchises weigh his on-ice capabilities against the circumstances surrounding his departure from Ottawa.
For the Senators, the roster spot opens the door to other options as the team continues its offseason planning ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
