Hammond’s status remains unclear

So, what’s next for Andrew Hammond?

The Ottawa Senators goaltender, who led the club to the playoffs during a remarkable 20-1-2 run in 2015, will make the trip to Winnipeg Wednesday and dress as the backup against the Jets at the MTS Centre.

However, Hammond has no future here, which is why push is about to come to shove.

Hammond, 29, is in the final year of a contract that will pay him US$1.5 million this season. He made his pre-season debut Monday in the final 30 minutes of the club’s 8-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in Summerside, P.E.I., and it’s the first time he’s been in the Ottawa net since a 6-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 2 last season.

General manager Pierre Dorion made it crystal clear on TSN 1200 Tuesday that goalies Craig Anderson and Mike Condon will start the season with the big club, while not addressing what might happen to Hammond. Keeping three goalies around to start the season doesn’t make sense and it’s not known if there’s room for him in Belleville.

The ideal move for both sides would be for Hammond to be dealt to an NHL club looking for goaltending help.

There has been mild interest in Hammond from a couple of teams that aren’t totally pleased with their goaltending during training camp. If that happens, the Senators would likely have to take a contract back in exchange since it would be difficult for any team involved to take on the $1.5 million.

If that doesn’t happen, Hammond could be sent to Belleville to be the backup to Danny Taylor, who was signed to two-way contract to be the starter in the club’s new AHL home. The Senators also have goalies Chris Driedger and Marcus Hogberg under contract as well.

The organization could send Hammond to the ECHL or work out a deal with a team in Europe that would be willing to eat part of his salary, but he’d have to agree to that kind of move.