It looks like the Senators and longtime defenceman Wade Redden have officially parted company.
When Ottawa's season ended in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Penguins, both the Senators and Redden left the door open a crack for the return of the potential free agent.
It looks like the door is now closed. The Redden camp is apparently not interested in discussing a contract similar to that of veteran blueliner Chris Phillips and Redden appears ready to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent July 1, according to Sun Media sources.
Redden told Sun Media during the season he would take a paycut from his current salary of $6.5 million (all terms US) to stay with the Senators -- the only NHL team for which the 30-year-old has played in his 11-year career -- but the big question was how much?
It should come as no surprise taking about half of what he was making is too much of a cut. Phillips just completed the first year of a four-year deal that pays him $3.5 million a year.
UNION WOULD BE MAD
Also to be considered, on Redden's behalf, is how a player of his stature taking what amounts to a 50% haircut would go over with his union brotherhood, especially when it appears there would be a market out there for Redden to make close to what he is making now.
Senators GM Bryan Murray, while not discussing specifics, said: "It's always disappointing when you can't afford a good player who has been in your organization for a long time because of the way the system is now."
Redden did not return a message seeking comment.
