Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Why would the Senators even entertain trading Stone especially for a defenseman? He’s one of only two first line forwards they have left on their roster.
|
He's a RFA with arb rights and is 1 season away from UFA, so if he refuses to sign a multi year extension and instead opts to go to arbitration or only wants a 1 year extension, that is him effectively telling the team that he doesn't want to be there.
If you are Stone would you want to sign long term in Ottawa. The last contract negotiations he has were quite contentious with the team low balling one of their best players. Stone holds pretty much all the leverage. Melnyk might want him traded instead of having to pay a big pay day in arbitration.