Erik Brannstrom won’t be back with Senators

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The Ottawa Senators took care of some business Sunday before the National Hockey League’s free agent frenzy gets underway.

And, as a result, defenceman Erik Brannstrom and winger Parker Kelly were both shown the door. Neither player was issued a qualifying offer to retain their rights as restricted free agents and they’ll now be able to shop themselves around when the market opens Monday at noon.

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Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, continues to put his stamp on this team in his first off-season in the role.

The deadline to tender offers was 5 p.m. EST on Sunday.

The club did qualify restricted free agent centre Shane Pinto, along with goaltenders Mads Sogaard and Kevin Mandolese, and Belleville winger Egor Sokolov. The Senators also gave defenceman Lassi Thomson a qualifying offer, but he’s already signed overseas.

Traded to Ottawa as part of the Mark Stone deal, this will end Brannstrom’s stay with the Senators. He was due a $2-million U.S. qualifying offer to retain his rights.

The decision to let Brannstrom go shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody. He’s a polarizing figure because people either like the way he plays or can’t stand it. He’s an NHL player and he’ll be able to get a one-way deal elsewhere, but the Senators weren’t able to trade him at his current salary.

The Senators have only $11.5 million in cap space heading into the opening of free agency on Canada Day and letting Brannstrom go creates more space. He was acquired by former GM Pierre Dorion and this management has no ties to him.

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The Senators feel defenceman Tyler Kleven is ready to make the next step from the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville. The club also opted not to buy out veteran defenceman Travis Hamonic, who has one year left at $1 million.

Kelly is a restricted free agent with rights to arbitration and, after seven years in the organization, the club has decided it wants to move on.

Kelly, who made $775,000 on the first one-way contract of his career, recorded eight goals and 18 points in 82 games last season. The Senators offered him a deal, but weren’t able to get anything done. He’s a solid fourth-liner and should be able to help somebody else.

The club also decided to let forward Boris Katchouk, picked up from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline on waivers, go without issuing him a qualifying offer.

The biggest name on the list to sign is Pinto.

League executives told Postmedia earlier this month that the two sides weren’t close on a long-term deal and were also exploring the option of a two-year bridge contract to get something done.

We keep hearing in league circles that Pinto’s New York-based agent Lewis Gross will be looking for an offer sheet when free agency opens. That feels like it may be a longshot because any team that signs him would have to give up a first- and third-round selection if the deal is $4.57 million to $6.7 million per year.

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Pinto doesn’t have the right to file for arbitration because he doesn’t have the accrued seasons to qualify.

THE MARKET OPENS

Staios will gather with his closest advisers at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday when free agency opens.

It would help if the Senators were able complete a trade to clear up cap space if they want to make a splash in free agency. The club has been trying to move defenceman Jakob Chychrun and winger Mathieu Joseph, along with blueliner Jacob Bernard-Docker.

Here are a few names to watch from your friends at Postmedia:

• This newspaper has reported the Senators have Los Angeles Kings right-shot defenceman Matt Roy at the top of their list, but it won’t be cheap. Roy had 197 blocked shots last season and would be a strong addition to this team. There be strong competition for his services and the Senators may not have the cap space to get into a bidding war.
• The Senators will also make a pitch to 29-year-old Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk. He finished with 19 goals and 40 points in 80 games with the Bruins last season. You have to think Staios will be using goaltender Linus Ullmark as part of the sales job. Getting a rugged winger like DeBrusk would be a home run.
• This club needs veterans, so don’t be surprised if the Senators try to acquire Winnipeg Jets winger Tyler Toffoli. He’d be a nice fit here and won a Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings.

BGarrioch@postmedia.com

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