On the Ottawa Senators …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: Don’t expect GM Pierre Dorion to have any standoffs with his free agents.
They are expected to meet with Chris Kelly, Chris Neil and Tommy Wingels to talk about their future. Would be surprising if any are back.
If Neil were to retire, there was some talk that he could join their front office. He hasn’t decide yet.
Craig Anderson will be entering the final year of his deal and it’s expected that they will sign the 36-year old to a one-year contract extension this offseason.
UFA Mike Condon said he’d like to return but the sides aren’t close to a contract.
The Senators could buy out the final year of Andrew Hammond’s deal – $500,000 for the next two years or see if anyone is interested in trading for him.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau is arbitration eligible and the Senators need to decide if they want to give him a long-term deal.
Ryan Dzingel is also a RFA but he should sign a qualifying offer.
Will the Senators ask defenseman Dion Phaneuf to waive his no-movement clause so they can protect Marc Methot? The Sens would want to keep Phaneuf, so they may have to make a side deal with Vegas.
Word is the Golden Knights could be looking at Sens defensemen Fredrik Claesson and Chris Wideman.
Thinking is Bobby Ryan could be left exposed for the draft.
Ian Mendes: It doesn’t sound like GM Dorion has asked Phaneuf to waive his no-movement clause. Dorion adds that he can make deals with Vegas to not take players
Ian Mendes: Dorion: “If we were to ever go that direction, I think I should let Dion know first.”
Adam Gretz of Pro Hockey Talk: Bobby Ryan when asked if he’s given any thought to the possibility that Vegas could select him if he’s left exposed by the Senators.
“No,” before laughing and saying “are they going to take $7 million?” He continued to laugh, saying, “I think I’m good.”
Ryan Has five years left on his deal at a $7.25 million cap hit. The 30-year old only recorded 25 points in 62 regular season games. He improved in the playoffs where he recorded 15 points in 19 games.
