The Ottawa Senators have seen their season officially come to an end and on Sunday the organization held their end of season press conference. During that media availability, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion dropped several interesting nuggets of information about his team moving forward, including some tough news for a number of the franchise's players.
In total Dorion confirmed that the Senators would be moving on from at least 3 of their current players, although he would add that more could be added to that list as the team continues to evaluate how they will move forward in the offseason.
Perhaps the most notable name on the list was that of veteran forward Chris Tierney who has spent the last 4 seasons of his career in the National Hockey League as a member of the Senators. Tierney is coming off a 70 game season that saw him record 6 goals and 12 assists for 18 points, finishing with 14 penalty minutes a plus minus rating of -12, and it seems the Senators feel there are better options out there for them than the 27 year old veteran.
Tierney was playing out the final year of a 2 year contract that was signed after an arbitration filing, one that carried an average annual value and cap hit of $3.5 million per season. Dorion made it clear that the Senators would not be offering him another contract.
Also on the list of players the Senators will be moving on from is defenseman Victor Mete. Mete appeared in 37 games this season for the Senators, recording no goals and 7 assists for a total of 7 points, finishing with 4 penalty minus and a plus minus rating of -19.
The 23 year old also signed with the Senators following an arbitration filing and in his case he was on a 1 year deal that carried an average annual value and cap hit of $1.2 million per season. Mete is a restricted free agent at the end of this deal, but Dorion told reporters he would not be extending him a qualifying offer.
Last but not least we have veteran forward Tyler Ennis. The 32 year old is coming off of a 57 game season in which he recorded 8 goals and 16 assists for a total of 24 points, finishing with 16 penalty minutes and a plus minus rating of -6.
Ennis was on a very affordable deal, a one year contract with an average annual value and a cap hit of just $900,000, but Dorion informed reporters on Sunday that he would not be offering Ennis a contract prior to him becoming a free agent. Unlike with Tierney and Mete though, Dorion did not completely shut the door on a return for Ennis. The Sens general manager hinted that he could revisit things with Ennis later in the offseason.
