Alex Formenton Signed to Entry-Level Contract
The 18-year-old has a chance to make the opening night roster
The Ottawa Senators headed into training camp with some competition for roster spots. With Derick Brassard and later Colin White both delaying their season due to injuries, a couple extra forward spots available. Nick Paul, Filip Chlapik, Chris DiDomenico and Max McCormick were at the front of the pack, yet all have been cut and sent to the AHL.
Surprisingly, Alex Formenton still remains on the main roster with pre-season closed. The Sens signed him to a three year entry-level contract this afternoon, bringing the possibility of Formenton playing on opening night a little bit closer to reality.
Alex Formenton! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/fxtkLeNszn
— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) September 28, 2017
Formenton, the Sens’ 2nd round selection in the 2017 draft (47th overall), finished his first NHL pre-season with one goal and two assists in five games. His speed is his most notable feature, possibly being the fastest in his draft class, which is what likely makes him an attractive option for Guy Boucher. In his rookie OHL season in 2016-17, he scored 34 points in 65 games, but was held scoreless in fourteen playoff games. It’s worth noting that this happened while playing near the bottom of a deep London Knights squad. It’s almost guaranteed he’ll be sent back to the Knights sooner or later, where he’ll likely take on a larger role.
Being born on September 13th, two days before the draft cut-off, Formenton is currently the youngest player on an NHL contract, a title he’ll likely hold until after the 2018 draft.
Finalizing the Roster
The Ottawa Senators currently have thirteen healthy forwards on the main roster:
Bobby Ryan, Mike Hoffman, Derick Brassard*, Mark Stone, Kyle Turris, Zack Smith, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Alex Burrows, Ryan Dzingel, Nate Thompson, Tom Pyatt, Logan Brown, Alex Formenton
Guy Boucher on the radio this morning said that Derick Brassard was given the green light to play opening night, although it’s still up to Brassard to determine whether he feels ready. If he sits, that gives Formenton a spot. If not, Formenton may end up in the press box or sent back to junior, unless they decide to give him a spot over 2016 1st round pick Logan Brown.
With the first game of the regular season only days away, the Sens will have to make a decision soon.
