Alex Formenton: The person versus the player?

[DylanSensFan]

So, since all the 2018 World Juniors sexual assault has come to light I can't say I've been a fan of Alex Formenton the person. Especially if he was involved, which is highly likely. However, I never had anything against Formenton the player. Considering the Oilers-Kane deal and other situations that have played out in the NHL, I am now wondering what we do with Alex Formenton? He would be a solid addition to our bottom six roster and would definitely make us more of a playoff contender than we are currently, but I am also still concerned about the lingering problem of his character. What should the Ottawa Senators do with Alex Formenton?

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

 

[Sun God Nika]

So, since all the 2018 World Juniors sexual assault has come to light I can't say I've been a fan of Alex Formenton the person. Especially if he was involved, which is highly likely. However, I never had anything against Formenton the player. Considering the Oilers-Kane deal and other situations that have played out in the NHL, I am now wondering what we do with Alex Formenton? He would be a solid addition to our bottom six roster and would definitely make us more of a playoff contender than we are currently, but I am also still concerned about the lingering problem of his character. What should the Ottawa Senators do with Alex Formenton?

Wait for investigation results to come out.

 

[Ouroboros]

There's nothing to be done.

 

[NyQuil]

Wait for investigation results to come out.

This.

We'll have plenty of discussion then.

 

[OgieO]

The player... I think we sorely missed last year. Speed, size, played with an edge and was a plus PKer. I think his absence last year really hurt. We missed all of those things. Norris, Formenton and our goalies. If they stay healthy I bet we make the playoffs last year.

My personal opinion, I think he'll have to make amends and/or serve his suspension and then I think we should find a way to bring him back in the fold the right way. He has no leverage at all, we can be a part of the process of helping him become a better person (if it turns out he was directly involved). If we just shove him off to another team and he gets to be relatively anonymous and play in San Jose or whatever... is that really better? Its 'easier' but I think he needs to be held accountable and then move on properly. I think that should be here.

 

[bicboi64]

I'm not formulating any opinion on anything related to the whole incident until the official investigation is out. I hope everyone harmed in the whole situation has the support they need, and this just gets resolved in a manner that respects the person who was assaulted.

 

[Sensinitis]

I would love to have him back

Very unique player who brings an element we sorely lacked last season

I personally don't think he deserves to be perma-banned. I'll say this while trying to remain the least ignorant possible, but he was a teenager when this happened, and young people make mistakes. I realize this was a horrible mistake. He's already missed one year of NHL action and if he isn't kicked out I'm sure he will have hefty fines/measures laid upon him. If he shows remorse and shows a willingness to work on himself, I would welcome him back.

 

[Daffy]

I would love to have him back

Very unique player who brings an element we sorely lacked last season

I personally don't think he deserves to be perma-banned. I'll say this while trying to remain the least ignorant possible, but he was a teenager when this happened, and young people make mistakes. I realize this was a horrible mistake. He's already missed one year of NHL action and if he isn't kicked out I'm sure he will have hefty fines/measures laid upon him. If he shows remorse and shows a willingness to work on himself, I would welcome him back.

Wtf?

Rape isn't a mistake bud

 

[Sensinitis]

Wtf?

Rape isn't a mistake bud

You know what I mean, I'm not saying it's an accident.

Anyways, you have no idea what happened, let's not get into that.

 

[PierresGabriels]

Wait for the results of the investigation.

If he isn't criminally charged, let him serve any potential suspension. Then I hope we could bring him back into the fold. He's good on the ice and can be a part of a winning team.

If he is criminally charged for something heinous, then the discussion is different. We'd have to leave him unsigned or send him elsewhere for pennies on the dollar - make him "not our problem".

Yes, for us fans it sucks to lose an up and coming player out of the blue. But, there's a risk with every single hockey player.
- Some guys face career ending physical injury.
- Some guys struggle mentally in a multitude of ways and don't blossom to their fullest (i.e. depression, addiction, Filatov's lack of drive, Jeff O'Neill's fear of flying).
- And then I guess some guys suffer such injuries to their soul from being a wicked piece of s**t that there ain't no coming back (i.e. Voynov ... suprised he ever played again)

 

[SensFactor]

Not sure if he comes back either way. Batherson is another player we have that I'm concerned about as he was part of the 2018 team as well and hasn't denied being involved (not saying that means he is involved).

 

[Comely]

Do we have any clue when the report is coming out? It feels like its been 'soon' for longer then the sale of the team was.

 

[BrawlFan]

I think you do the only thing that makes sense and that is waiting until the investigation.

I don’t think Formy has any leverage. He can demand a trade but we can also force him to play his value up and use him as a trade chip. See how it goes.

I very much doubt ottawa fans boo him. And for the other 41 games I’d say half will have fans who will know what is happening. So that’s 20 games where he faces the questions in relation to this.

Ray Lewis killed a guy. Played. Video of the saints linebacker whipping a woman with a belt on the beach. Nobody cared. I think people will forget.

I also personally believe that if there was something the report would be published by now. I think there isn’t much so the NHL is exhausting all possible blow-back scenarios to get ahead of any criticisms they will face from detractors of the investigation/report.

 

[NyQuil]

When Dany Heatley killed Dan Snyder by accident, it was easier for him to move on in a different location.

I suspect that, if Player X was involved in some capacity, if he does play hockey again, it won't be here.

The fact that Player Y continued to play while Player X didn't makes me think the team knows more than we do.

 

[DueDiligence]

The choice to have him and possibly Batherson play for the Sens will be in the hands of the NHL. And if one or both are suspended I doubt they ever play for the team again.

 

[BondraTime]

When Dany Heatley killed Dan Snyder by accident, it was easier for him to move on in a different location.

I suspect that, if Player X was involved in some capacity, if he does play hockey again, it won't be here.

The fact that Player Y continued to play while Player X didn't makes me think the team knows more than we do.

They do, every team does

 

[Artanis]

If Dany Heatley can literally kill someone, he'll be in the NHL again.

 

[BrawlFan]

When Dany Heatley killed Dan Snyder by accident, it was easier for him to move on in a different location.

I suspect that, if Player X was involved in some capacity, if he does play hockey again, it won't be here.

The fact that Player Y continued to play while Player X didn't makes me think the team knows more than we do.

Heatley played for a bit after to get his value up or give it another shot. Was then subsequently traded. I foresee a similar situation here. Sucks. Loved formy

 

[BondraTime]

If Dany Heatley can literally kill someone, he'll be in the NHL again.

Yet an NHL prospect who harassed and bullied a child when he was in elementary and junior high school has had his NHL draft selection, and 2 years later a new NHL contract voided, barred from the NHL.

Things aren't the same way they were in 2000, for the better. It's not as easy to get back in the good graces, and if something like this is proven or comes out, it's essentially lights out.

 

[DaveMatthew]

When Dany Heatley killed Dan Snyder by accident, it was easier for him to move on in a different location.

I suspect that, if Player X was involved in some capacity, if he does play hockey again, it won't be here.

The fact that Player Y continued to play while Player X didn't makes me think the team knows more than we do.

I don't think you can make that leap. 5 players are alleged to have participated in the assault. But only 2 players from the 2018 WJC team did not play any NHL games last year. So 3 players who were involved were active members of teams in 22/23, and the one playing on our team could very well be in that group.

 

[Mingus Dew]

Yet an NHL prospect who harassed and bullied a child when he was in elementary and junior high school has had his NHL draft selection, and 2 years later a new NHL contract voided, barred from the NHL.

Things aren't the same way they were in 2000, for the better. It's not as easy to get back in the good graces, and if something like this is proven or comes out, it's essentially lights out.

Heatley also didn't commit murder. Criminal negligence/recklessness certainly but not the same thing.

Otherwise you are spot on about things being different now and that's a good thing.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Yet an NHL prospect who harassed and bullied a child when he was in elementary and junior high school has had his NHL draft selection, and 2 years later a new NHL contract voided, barred from the NHL.

Things aren't the same way they were in 2000, for the better. It's not as easy to get back in the good graces, and if something like this is proven or comes out, it's essentially lights out.

While another prospect, drafted just a year later, who was charged and and convicted of sexual misconduct is back actively participating at an NHL camp in Montreal and is being touted as a future "core" piece of their organization.

Things aren't the same as they were in 2000... sometimes. It depends on who you are, how good you are, who's writing about you, what team you play for, how many retweets posts about you are getting, etc.

 

[JD1]

I think everything hinges on criminal charges

 

[DueDiligence]

If Dany Heatley can literally kill someone, he'll be in the NHL again.

Not necessarily. Different times