The deadline for qualifying offers to restricted free agents came and went yesterday at 5:00 PM and there were some surprising names left empty-handed.
In Chicago, Anthony Duclair is among the players that did not receive an offer. Duclair has 89 points in 213 games including an impressive 44 point rookie season. Nail Yakupov, who might one day lay claim to the title of biggest first overall bust in draft history, was also left empty-handed. Playoff hero Devante Smith-Pelly, underrated Hab Daniel Carr and 32 point Riley Shehan were all without offers and will now become unrestricted free agents on July 1st.
And there was a bit of a surprise in Ottawa too.
25 year old defenceman Frederik Claesson did not receive an offer before the 5:00 PM deadline.
Two years ago, Claesson looked like a more than capable top four defenceman but he took a significant step back last season. He certainly wasn’t the only player that struggled on that Ottawa blueline but his regression came at the worst possible time.
With Ben Harpur already locked up to a regrettable one way contract and younger guys like Christian Jaros, Christian Wolanin and Andreas Englund all expected to push for spots next year, the Senators really didn’t have room for another bottom pairing defenceman on a one way contact.
So Claesson became the odd man out. n a thin free agent market for defenceman, Claesson should be able to find an opportunity somewhere else.
Goaltender Chris Driedger, at one time thought to be the goalie of the future in Ottawa, and Nick Moutrey, acquired in the Ian Cole trade, also didn’t receive offers.
However, Nick Paul is getting one last chance. Last season was an up and down one for Paul who finished the year with 27 points in 54 games in the AHL. He also appeared in 11 NHL games, scoring one goal. Paul finished his season strong though, racking up 19 points over the final 25 games of Belleville’s season. Probably why they want to give him one more opportunity.
Oh and both Mark Stone and Cody Ceci received qualifying offers.
-Today at 3:00 PM, the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame will announce this year’s list of inductees and there’s a chance a Senators legend could be among those headed to the Hall. Daniel Alfredsson is in his second year of eligibility and is among the names getting serious consideration this time around. 1157 points in 1246 games, most of which came during an era where scoring was down across the league. He had another 100 points in the playoffs and one appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals where he put a team and a City on his back. He has a Calder Trophy, a King Clancy Memorial Trophy and a Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. He has an Olympic Gold Medal and a Silver too. He has 13 seasons as the Captain of a Canadian team and he was the first modern day Ottawa Senator to have his number hung from the rafters. His influence on this organization and this community speaks for itself. Good luck Alfie!
