Alex Formenton leaves the courthouse in London, Ont. on Thursday, May 8, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators opened training camp Wednesday intent on not just reaching the playoffs but taking the next step.

However, Alex Formenton will not be part of the process.

The 26-year-old forward, who was drafted in the second round (47th overall) by Ottawa in 2017, was one of five players acquitted in July of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in London, Ont., in 2018 when they were members of Canada’s world junior team.

Senators general manager Steve Staios shared he had discussions with Formenton’s agent that led to a mutual decision that “it would be best for everybody for a fresh start,” and later added the club is gauging the market for a potential trade.

Formenton is the only one of the five who is a restricted free agent, with the Senators retaining his rights.

Formenton had 23 goals and 39 points across 109 games for the Senators. He hasn't played in the NHL since 2021-22, spending parts of three seasons with Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta.

The Senators enter camp with momentum after snapping a seven-year playoff drought last spring. Led by captain Brady Tkachuk, the Senators are determined to not only return to the post-season but prove the group can contend. Training camp will be about building on that foundation and preparing for the expectations that come with a roster built to advance.

“I like the character of this group,” said Staios. “They’ve been challenged. They rise up to the occasion. They took a step forward and we’re excited to see that next step and they know it’s going to be hard.”

Ottawa made few changes to its roster. They acquired defenceman Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings and signed Lars Eller to a one-year, US$1.25 million contract. They’ll also have the benefit of having forwards Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund, who were both acquired at the trade deadline, in the lineup from the start.

Despite few changes, head coach Travis Green anticipates internal competition.

“I think you can look right through our lineup,” said Green. “We’ve got good players in every position that are going to battle for ice time, whether it’s jobs on the team or ice time within the game.”

One of the biggest questions going into camp is who will be on Tim Stutzle’s right wing. Zetterlund and 37-year-old Claude Giroux, who signed a one-year extension, are in contention, but Green was non-committal when asked.

“Ultimately, it’ll be up to the players,” said Green, who alongside Staios, is confident the answer lies within the current roster.

Defenceman Nick Jensen, who underwent hip surgery during the off-season, is progressing well and has started skating and Green said he “wouldn’t be surprised if he was skating with the group within the next week,” but that it’s still too early to know if he will be ready for the start of the season.

While Ottawa’s defence corps seems locked down, especially with the addition of Spence, the Senators could find themselves having to make a tough decision on the future of Carter Yakemchuk.

The 19-year-old defenceman looked solid in a rookie tournament game where he had a goal and two assists.

“I think for the first time in a long time here, there's real competition,” Staios said. “And Carter's continued to grow and develop.”

Yakemchuk’s point totals dropped off last season, going from 71 points to 49, but Staios pointed out the progression and development of his game, in addition to his strength and development.

Green, who is known for his strenuous training camps, has no doubt his team is ready and willing to put in the work.

“We’re going to be demanding,” Green said. “We want to challenge our players. We want to help them improve and part of helping a player improve is getting them outside his comfort zone and challenging him to be better. It’s kind of how we coach.”

In addition to Jensen, Eller had a minor abdominal procedure and won’t be ready to start camp.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2025.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025