Pierre Dorion was on TSN 1200 this morning and provided a handful of updates on a few of the lingering items on the team’s off-season To Do list.
At the top of that list, are the two remaining restricted free agents in Jean Gabriel Pageau and Ryan Dzingel.
On the Pageau front, Dorion stressed that the fact that Pageau has three remaining RFA years is important in the negotiations. The General Manager seems optimistic about the progress in the negotiations to this point and all options are still on the table although he seemed to be optimistic about avoiding an arbitration hearing.
Dorion didn’t offer much on the negotiations with Ryan Dzingel other than an off-hand comment that seemed to suggest they could see that one going to arbitration.
Pageau and Dzingel filed for salary arbitration on Tuesday.
Dorion also mentioned that the team is expecting an update on Viktor Stalberg either today or tomorrow.
As discussed here a couple days ago, Stalberg remains an option for Ottawa and as I understand it, there is an offer on the table. Dorion’s timeline seems to suggest that they are pushing him for a decision in the next couple days.
Looking ahead to next season, Dorion again said that there is no doubt in his mind that Thomas Chabot is ready to play in the NHL next year. He also spoke highly of Christian Jaros and Filip Chlapik, going so far as to say that the 20 year old Chlapik could play games in the NHL this season.
