TSN Hockey insiders discuss the Senators exploring a team sale, whether there’s a feud between Mitch Marner and Sheldon Keefe, when we’ll likely see Barry Trotz behind a bench again, and more.
James Duthie: Full insider list Chris Johnston, Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun: Ottawa Senators for sale according to Sportico, just seven months after the death of owner Eugene Melnyk, what’s the process here, CJ?
Chris Johnson: Well, what’s most important is that they have retained a large school bank, Galatioto Sports Partners, which does this kind of thing, mergers and acquisitions in the sports world, and they will basically manage the potential back and forth between potential buyers for the Senators. It’s still a bit early in the process to identify who those buyers might be, but multiple sources tell me we should be talking about this as a sale that will keep the Senators in Ottawa. It’s not a relocation-type situation and it’s going to be expensive: some believe it could cost the Ottawa Senators as much as $700 million or more.
Duthie: Frustrating times in Toronto, Mitch Marner was sat for a third-period shift after a few errors in that overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks, fallout from that, Dregs?
Darren Dreger: Well, I can tell you first, categorically, that some people close to Mitch Marner say there is no truth to this ongoing speculation that he has a problem with his head coach Sheldon Keefe. Do they like the fact that they don’t play good hockey? Of course not, that includes the coach, that includes the star players, that is, everyone associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But some wonder if Marner-specific Sheldon Keefe’s tinkering might include managing a bit of his ice time. Mitch Marner averages between 20 minutes per game and 27 minutes per game so maybe stepping back a bit he’s fresher you invest some of that ice time in your last six and it turns out to be a win-win for everything.
Duthie: With Sheldon Keefe in the hot seat, Barry Trotz’s name often comes up in Toronto, but Barry Trotz’s name often comes up wherever a coach is in the hot seat…when are we likely to see Barry Trotz behind a bench again, Pierre?
Pierre LeBrun: Okay, James, his name should come up, it’s Barry Trotz, and he’ll be asked when he’s ready. It goes back to an interview I did with Barry Trotz last month where he said he was “not quite ready yet” to put his name in the NHL hat. He still has things to take care of in his personal life and it is my understanding today that this is still the case and that he is not ready to return to NHL life until probably December at the earliest, so it’s still a bit far. He’ll want to come back, but not now, so keep that in mind. Meanwhile, speaking of the Leaf coaches, they are still paying ex-coach Mike Babcock $5.8 million this season, the last year of that eight-year deal dating back to 2015, they are paying him until June 30. I’m bringing this up because if the Leafs decide to change coaches at some point, consider they’re still paying Babcock, Sheldon Keefe makes just under $2 million, so that would be $7.8 million. ‘they would pay old coaches if they make a change, let alone a new coach’s salary. So we know that MLSE has deep pockets, but that’s something to consider.
Duthie: November 1 is exactly one month after December 1, calendar expert that I am, which is the deadline for NHL teams to sign compensated free agents. Where are Alex Formenton and the Ottawa Senators, where are they?
Drager: Well, they don’t get very far and it’s been a real quiet stalemate between Formenton and the Ottawa Senators. Obviously, the Ottawa Senators have reason to slow this down, but your dates are accurate in terms of the schedule and that means time is clearly running out. Two options here: either you sign Alex Formenton and keep him with the Ottawa Senators, or you trade him back to the NHL. Some think a swap is more likely and I guess Europe, in the long run, might also be an option.
Johnstone: News from Washington today, Dregs, that Connor Brown’s season is over after undergoing season-ending surgery on his right knee. I will say if there is any good news about a season ending operation it was that it was a clean ACL tear, there was no damage to the other ligaments or meniscus, so he should make a 100% comeback, and it’s been a big year for Connor Brown. Obviously disappointing news, but he’s an unrestricted free agent pending next summer, but he’ll make a 100% recovery and be ready to go next season.
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