Ottawa Senators open to trading signing rights for polarizing forward originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With the dust settled after the Team Canada legal issues stemming from some serious accusations, the five players who were the focus have begun trying to get themselves back into some type of hockey career.

It's hard to see certain teams making moves even if they need to whether it be due to backlash or potential fan reaction. However, there's no denying that these players can offer something to an NHL club and have the experience to back it up.

One player involved, Alex Formenton, has already continued his career in Switzerland with HC Ambri-Piotta; a team he has a lot of familiarity and success with, but as always the NHL remains the ultimate goal.

Well, he might be getting his wish according to NHL Insider Darren Dreger.

Dreger was speaking on TSN's Insider Trading on Thursday and explained that Formenton wants back in the NHL but that Ottawa doesn't want him around, and are shopping his rights:

"And a different path for 26-year-old Alex Formenton, he’s playing in Switzerland and he’d like to return to the NHL. There’s nothing imminent there. 

We know Ottawa Senators general manager SteveStaios announced publicly that Formenton would not be coming back to Ottawa, but Staios has given Formenton’s agent Darren Ferris the permission to speak with other NHL clubs about the possibility of having his rights traded. So nothing imminent, but Formenton would also like to come back."

Ferris has been a busy man this summer, with the Mitch Marner situation and now Staios essentially telling him to find a new place for his client.

Ottawa has definitely moved on from their former second-round pick, and with the logjam up front plus a fan backlash that could get out of control; Staios want to wash his hands.

Formenton, 26, was drafted 47th overall by the Senators in 2017 ahead of names such as Fabian Zetterlund, Morgan Geekie, and Mario Ferraro.

In his career he has 39 points in 109 games (23 goals, 16 assists) with his best season coming in 2021-22 when he had 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists).

While it's not guaranteed that Formenton will be able to secure an NHL job this season, he certainly has the right to pursue a new home and it'll be up to Ferris to make sure that happens.

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