Ottawa to Undergo Training Camp Without Key Forward

It appears as though forward Alex Formenton will not be present at Senators' training camp, as the forward is still without a contract as of September 18. Pierre Dorion told media recently he planned on having Formenton signed by September 20 and having him at camp, however it does not look like that deadline will be met.

Formenton, 23, is the only Senator without a contract, which -- given his '22-23 season -- is a surprise. In 79 games for the Sens, Formenton posted 32 points and 59 PIMs, and he fit in nicely among Ottawa's top-nine forwards.

The elephant in the room with regards to Formenton is the 2018 Canadian World Junior team sexual assault scandal. To this point, no one has been named publicly, however internet detectives have carved out the most probable collection of names, and Formenton is among that group. For what it's worth, that collective also includes Senators forward Drake Batherson.

This is no way assigns guilt onto any of those named, although if there is any merit to the notion that Formenton was involved, it could help explain why he is without a contract.

Strictly speaking on the hockey side of things, the two sides could simply be at an impasse over Formenton's performance last season and his value going forward. The Sens are deep at forward, Formenton scored 82% of his NHL total last season while getting caved in defensively, and the Senators will need much of their remaining ~$5.5 million to add over the season.

So, perhaps his agent is flexing whatever leverage he has, and Dorion just is not playing ball. Only those parties involved really know why Formenton has no deal in place, so until the truth comes out we are left to speculate.

MUST READ

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information

Feb 28  |  By Mike Whitaker Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline

Feb 27  |  By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline

MORE STORIES