Latest trade developments surrounding Alex Formenton with the clock ticking

Alex Formenton, along with Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote, was acquitted in July of charges stemming from a June 2018 incident at a London, Ontario, hotel following a Hockey Canada gala. Since then, Formenton and the others have been eligible to sign contracts as of October 15 and can return to NHL action starting December 1.

For now, Hart is the only of the five acquitted players to have landed a new deal in the NHL, currently on a PTO with the Vegas Golden Knights.

While Senators GM Steve Staios continues working the phones in search of impact talent, Formenton remains a key focus, with the team eager to move his rights. Time is of the essence, and finding a trade partner hasn’t been easy this early in the season.

According to Bruce Garrioch, the Senators are actively trying to deal the rights to Formenton elsewhere.

Formenton signed a deal with HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss league, running through the Christmas break, as he hopes Ottawa will trade his rights. While some teams have expressed interest, sources say the overall demand has been limited.

There has been speculation the Senators could renounce Formenton’s rights and allow him to become an unrestricted free agent, but that would require special permission from the NHL. Otherwise, Ottawa will retain his rights until July 1, 2027.

With the clock ticking, the Senators face a delicate balancing act: finding a suitable deal while navigating NHL rules and the player’s ongoing aspirations in Europe.

That sure does not sound like an easy plan. Stay tuned…