It’s also a chance for agents to sit with GMs to discuss the status of restricted and unrestricted free agents as of July 1. It would make sense for Staios to hold talks on a couple of fronts, if not more. Restricted free-agent defenceman Jordan Spence needs a new deal after a strong season with the Senators, but the club must decide if it wants to do something long-term. Spence has the right to file for salary arbitration. Winger Claude Giroux, who will be an
unrestricted free agent, has determined that he wants to play next season. His No. 1 priority is to return to the Senators and getting a contract done shouldn’t take long. Veteran forward Nick Cousins, a pest to play against and an effective fourth-liner, is also a UFA. He could get a lot on the open market, but has found a strong role with the Senators. It’s expected veteran centre Lars Eller won’t be back since Stephen Halliday signed a two-year deal to be the fourth-line
centre. The future of veteran defenceman Nick Jensen, also a UFA, remains murky, but he likely won’t return, either. Staios also has to address goaltending depth behind starter Linus Ullmark and see what’s available on the defensive market. The bottom line is that Staios has a lot on his plate as the calendar turns to June. Eliminated in four straight in the first round of the playoffs by the Eastern Conference-champion Carolina Hurricanes, the time has come for talk to turn into action for the
Senators.
Anaheim Mason McTavish, Ottawa Senators, Staios, Jordan Spence, Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins, Lars Eller, Stephen Halliday, Nick Jensen, Linus Ullmark, Carolina Hurricanes
So basically it’s July 1 stuff… who knows.
I hope they keep Giroux, he’s literally been their whole vibe. But then they say Eller probably gone and Jensen “murky”?? Make it make sense.
Spence should just take arbitration and then it’s done right? Like if you’re good you get paid, simple. Also “restricted” sounds like the team is being cheap or something.
They got eliminated 4 straight and now it’s all contract talk, cool cool. Meanwhile goaltending depth?? Ullmark can’t play 80 games by himself, so if they don’t fix that they’re just gonna repeat the same mess. And why is McTavish even in there, that’s like setting up trade rumors before anything happens. I’m just saying, Staios better not mess up the summer.