An interesting tweet from Bruce Garrioch this afternoon suggesting that the Ottawa Senators have reached out to player agent Allan Walsh about the possibility of a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with ex-Senator Martin Havlat.
Chris Phillips will be fine for camp. Will skate this week. #Sens have spoken to Martin Havlat’s agent Allan Walsh about possible PTO.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) August 19, 2015
Obviously Havlat is on the back nine of his NHL career and his numbers have declined steadily over the last couple seasons.
He’s not the offensive force he once was and there are legitimate questions about just how much he has left in the tank at 34 years of age. Injuries have been a major concern for Havlat his last few seasons too. He hasn’t played anything close to a full season since the 2010/2011.
Havlat registered just 14 points in 40 games with the New Jersey Devils last season.
Garrioch went on to say that for the most part, the Senators are set on the roster as it currently stands but that they are consider a few different PTO options leading up to training camp. Havlat is an unrestricted free agent and obviously hasn’t attracted much interest to this point. This would be a low/no-risk move for the organization.
And from Havlat’s perspective, you have to think he at least considers a possible return to the city where he got his start.
