Failed trade in Ottawa: too much risk involved!

The Ottawa Senators and forward Alex Formenton failed to reach an agreement on a contract on Thursday and now the latter cannot play for the rest of the season.

The two sides had until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday to reach a deal. It is believed that the Senators attempted to trade the unsigned free agent before the deadline, however, insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Face-Off reports that rival teams felt there was too much risk involved. The asking price, per Seravalli, was a second round pick, but there weren’t any takers.

Throughout the contract stalemate, some fans and reporters speculated that Formenton’s status could be linked Canada’s 2018 World Junior team that’s under investigation over allegations of sexual assault. There is no indication that Formenton was involved, however, chatter has grown since he never commented on the incident. Pierre LeBrun once asked GM Pierre Dorion if an ongoing investigation into allegations that members of the 2018 Canadian world junior team took part in a group sexual assault was influencing the contract’s situation, and this is what the general manager had said then:

“With all due respect, I think they’re totally two different things. One’s a contract issue and the other is a Hockey Canada issue that I can’t comment on until the NHL investigation is over.”

However, maybe that’s what stopped rival teams from making a trade happen. Too much risk might be what they meant vis-a-vis the allegations of sexual assault.

There is a sense that Formenton will try to sign with a team in Europe, though his NHL rights remain with the Senators.

Last season in Ottawa, he put up 18 goals and 32 points. In 109 career games, all with the Senators, he has 23 goals and 16 assists for 39 points.