Alex Formenton has become an unrestricted free agent, potentially allowing the winger to return to NHL play for the first time since 2022.
Citing league sources, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reported Thursday that the Ottawa Senators removed Formenton from their free agent list last month, which has allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent.
Garrioch notes the move was made with NHL Central Registry on May 8.
Formenton, who has not played in the NHL since the 2021-22 season, and had remained under ream control of the Senators, dating back to when the team qualified him that summer.
Ottawa general manager Steve Staios said in September that Formenton would not be returning to Ottawa, stating both sides had agreed “it would be best for everybody for a fresh start for Alex.”
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported in December after the deadline for Fromenton to sign in the NHL passed that an offer sheet may be his most likely path back into the league.
Formenton returned to Switzerland’s HC Ambri-Piotta in September on a short-term deal through the December international break, with an option for the remainder of the season. He had 13 goals and 23 points in 42 games after remaining with the club.
He is one of five players, along with Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote, who were charged with sexual assault following an incident in a London, Ont. hotel room in 2018 at a Hockey Canada event celebrating their World Junior title.
All five players were acquitted in July after a high-profile trial that lasted for months. Hart is the only member of the group to return to NHL play, while Dube and Foote spent this past season in the AHL. McLeod spent the season with Omsk Avangard in the KHL.
Formenton, who was drafted in the second round by Ottawa in 2017, played three seasons with the team, scoring 18 goals with 32 points in 79 games in 2021-22.
