NHL Owners Ensure Controversial Player Never Returns To Their Team

The Melnyk sisters, minority owners of the Ottawa Senators, will ensure that a former player never returns to play for the Senators.

Formenton's Controversial Past

Back in the 2nd round of the 2017 NHL draft, the Ottawa Senators selected winger Alex Formenton with the hopes of him one day developing into a player for them. Formenton did that rather quickly playing for the Senators first in 2018-19 and then playing his first full season in 2021-22.




Since then, things have been all downhill for Formenton. He was a member of the 2018 Team Canada roster which has been under investigation and Formenton is widely speculated as one of the prime suspects. This speculation has led to Formenton not receiving a contract from the Senators despite being an RFA and has forced him to take his talents overseas to Switzerland.

Melnyk Sister's Blackball Formenton

Over the offseason, Olivia and Anna Melnyk, daughters of former Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, sold 90% of the team to billionaire Michael Andlauer while retaining 10% of the team and remaining minority owners.

A recent report has emerged revealing the sisters intend on keeping Formenton off the Senators.



This means that no matter what happens with Formenton, he will not have a home in Ottawa. If he is cleared to play, the Senators could trade his rights but by that point, his reputation may be too tarnished and he could be looking at a career overseas.

He currently has two points in seven games in the Swiss NL so his production could be enough grounds for him to stay overseas.

As seen on House of Hockey - NHL Owners Reportedly Blacklist Player From Returning to the NHL