No NHLPA Whining Needed

After the NHLPA went off on their little tirade about how the five players accused of sexual assault during their time with Hockey Canada were being treated unfairly by the NHL who made them ineligible to play in the league, there was some head-scratching that was done because the only player who seemed to have a regular job in the NHL was former Flyers netminder Carter Hart. I can understand the NHLPA advocating for the other four players when it came to competing for NHL jobs, but it's not like any of those players were on the doorstep of making an NHL roster. As it stands, the one player who was playing regularly in Europe is now set to do so again, making that NHLPA all but moot since he's now contracted to play in Switzerland until December.

25 year-old Alex Formenton returned to the Swiss club for whom he was playing before the Hockey Canada trial started in London, signing a deal with Switzerland's HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League through to the end of December with an option to extend the contract to the end of the season. It's hard to imagine that he'll be welcomed back to the NHL, but there may be a team who wants him.

Of course, Formenton's NHL rights are still held by the Ottawa Senators who a made him a qualifying offer when he became a free agent after the 2021-22 season, but Formenton opted not to sign that deal, eventually landing in Switzerland for the 2022-23 season to play with Ambrì-Piotta. Since that time, Formenton has played 48 games for the Swiss club, recording 20 goals and nine assists. He was also part of the 2022 Spengler Cup-winning Ambrì-Piotta squad as well.

With Formenton hitting the ice for preseason action with Ambrì-Piotta at some point this month, there's a good chance that he's hedging his bets that the NHL and NHLPA will come to an agreement to allow him and the other four players found "not guilty" to resume their efforts in trying to earn an NHL roster spot. If that happens before January 1, Formenton's agent will likely be wanting to speak with the Senators about a contract or having his rights traded. Either way, it seems that if the NHL removes their objection to these five players being part of their membership, Formenton could use the first half of the National League season as a springboard back to an NHL job.

Personally, I'm fine if he chooses to remain in Switzerland. The less I have to hear about Alex Formenton and his hockey career is a path I seek, and I hope Ambrì-Piotta and their fans are comfortable with the fact that Alex Formenton was still in that hotel room in London, Ontario where the alleged sexual assault took place. Yes, he was found "not guilty" of the crimes alleged, but that doesn't mean he wasn't in the room, wasn't witness to, and wasn't part of the alleged crimes that happened. If they can live with that, it seems they'll have a productive forward on their roster this season until December.

At the end of the day, I'm not sure there's any NHL team that's desperate for Alex Formenton's skill set, so I'm predicting he'll remain in Switzerland through the end of the season. There's a chance he could be signed or traded next summer if he has a big season with Ambrì-Piotta, but I can't see any NHL team offering any assets to Ottawa to negotiate with Formenton nor do I see the NHL opening the doors to the five men they ruled ineligible without some serious pressure internally. As we saw with Joel Quenneville, the NHL seemed very unmotivated to reinstate him, so let's just wait this one out.

The NHLPA can continue to work with the NHL to try and have these five men made eligible to play for one of its member teams, but I'd better not hear a peep about having an "opportunity to work" because Alex Formenton is proving that he can work without needing access to the NHL. And, if that fails, perhaps he go back to working construction because, as I've said repeatedly on this blog, getting paid to play hockey as a career is a privilege, not a right.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!