The Condra conundrum: Can the Sens sign the unrestricted free agent?
Teams will covet defensive specialist as Ottawa faces a financial crunch
When Erik Condra walked out of the Ottawa Senators dressing room Tuesday — perhaps for the final time — he was carrying more than his sticks, equipment and a garbage bag full of belongings.
He had some golden memories, as well.
“I’m going to remember this forever, just because of the way it went and the things that happened on and off the ice,” he said. “There was something magic in this room and I really didn’t think it was going to end. When it did, it came like a ton of bricks.”
As impressive as Condra was playing a vital role on an energy line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Curtis Lazar — “we showed we were one of the better third lines in the league,” he says — it will take some creative financial manoeuvering to re-sign the unrestricted free agent this summer.
His strong forecheck, rock solid defensive play and excellent penalty killing means Condra should attract attention on the open market. The Senators also have their hands tied due to limited roster space. Colin Greening, David Legwand and Chris Neil all have contracts for the 2015-16 season.
“There are a lot of guys here who are signed,” he said. “I talked to Bryan (Murray, Senators general manager). He said he would get in touch with my agent.
"I’m proud of my game in the second half of the season. Even in the playoffs, I showed my value to a team that wants to make a run. I hope it’s here, but we’ll see what happens.”
While Condra’s future with the Senators is uncertain, his linemate, Pageau, is in line to secure a guaranteed NHL contract when he becomes a restricted free agent July 1.
“I want to have a chance to come back here with the big team,” he said. “I don’t know if I have proved (I’m a full-time NHL player), but I have left everything on the ice that I could. I’ve done my best and now they know what my best is. Hopefully, it will be enough to play here.”
Pageau is gradually coming to terms with the goal that wasn’t; the controversial quick whistle from referee Chris Lee that denied him from tying Sunday’s Game 6 at 1-1.
“I still hear a lot of people, my family and friends, telling me, ‘that was a goal’.
“There’s nothing we can do now. It’s unfortunate. It was a tying goal and it could have changed the series. But it’s too late now. We’ve got to live with it.”