The curious case of Alex Formenton and the Ottawa Senators has taken another turn, and it’s one that could see the speedy forward back in the NHL, just not in the nation’s capital. The Senators have made it clear that Formenton, a player they once had high hopes for, will not be welcomed back into their dressing room. Now, with the team’s blessing, his agent, Darren Ferris, is actively shopping his rights to the other 31 NHL clubs. This is a move that speaks volumes about the Senators’ desire to close this chapter for good.
A Complicated Past and an Uncertain Future
Formenton’s situation is anything but straightforward. He hasn’t played in the NHL since 2022, and the circumstances surrounding his absence are well-documented. While he was acquitted of sexual assault charges, the stigma from the highly-publicized case remains. This isn’t just a hockey trade; it’s a move that will require a significant amount of due diligence and public relations maneuvering from any team that decides to take a chance on him. The question isn’t just about his on-ice talent; it’s about whether a team is willing to take on the public scrutiny that will inevitably follow.
From a purely hockey perspective, Formenton is an intriguing player. His speed is his biggest asset, and in his last full season with the Senators, he showed flashes of being an effective middle-six forward, potting 18 goals and playing with a physical edge. At 26, he’s still in his prime, and a change of scenery could be just what he needs to reignite his career. However, his time in the Swiss League hasn’t been overly productive, which will give some teams pause. Is his previous NHL success repeatable, or was it a product of playing on a young, developing Senators team?
Ultimately, the market for Formenton will be a telling indicator of how the NHL views players with off-ice baggage. In a league that is increasingly image-conscious, a player’s character is weighed just as heavily as their on-ice contributions. The Senators have made their decision, and now the rest of the league will have to make theirs. For Formenton, this is likely his last, best chance to prove that he belongs in the NHL.
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