Senators' Formenton Signs Overseas For Remainder Of 2022-23 Season

With the deadline passed for the Ottawa Senators to be able to sign their young forward Alex Formenton and have him play in the NHL this season, the player signed in Switzerland for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

The team Formenton signed with was HC Ambri Piotta. He should get the reps he hasn't been getting just training for this season in order to come back and play in the NHL next season. He certainly has the ability to do so seeing as the 23-year-old scored 18 goals and 32 points in a third line role in his first full NHL season in 2021-22.

The Senators accounted for the loss early and signed Tyler Motte to play in the vacant third line role. He has done a decent job of it this season despite the Senators really lacking in their bottom-six while dealing with injuries. Formenton's goal-scoring ability and speed would have definitely helped the Senators this season as they rank near the very bottom of the standings again.

Four of the Senators' restricted free agents in the offseason were given qualifying offers. All of Formenton, Josh Norris, Mathieu Joseph, and Erik Brannstrom declined, but Formenton was the only one who could come to an agreement afterwards. The last time a player missed the season because he didn't sign before the signing deadline was Jesse Puljujarvi and Julius Honka in 2019-20.

It remains to be seen if Formenton will sign with the Senators or play for a new team next season. But there is little doubt he will make his NHL return in 2023-24.