Sens still working to keep Stalberg

The Ottawa Senators are trying to keep their team together. In the case of Viktor Stalberg, it may go down to the wire.

With free agents set to hit the market Saturday at noon, talks between Senators GM Pierre Dorion and Stalberg’s agent Wade Arnott were ongoing to see if they could find a deal that would work for both sides to keep the veteran winger in Ottawa.

Acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL draft at the trade deadline, Stalberg, 31 — who made US$1.5 million last season — was a good fit with the Senators. A Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013, he has interest from a handful of teams but likes Ottawa.

The club already signed Tom Pyatt to a two-year, $2.2million deal Monday to keep him from being a UFA.

One player who likely won’t return is veteran winger Tommy Wingels. Acquired from the San Jose Sharks in January, Wingels is a UFA and was a healthy scratch during the playoffs.

The Senators will need players for their AHL affiliate in Belleville as well, so they’ll have to bring in some players on two-way deals. The Senators will want to have a strong team their first year in Belleville after missing the playoffs last season in Binghamton, so expect two or three players to get signed there.

A decision still has to be made on goalie Andrew Hammond.

With backup Mike Condon signed to a three-year, $7.2million extension Wednesday, the Senators are trying to deal Hammond and the $1.5 million left on his contract.

The Carolina Hurricanes traded Eddie Lack to Calgary by picking up half of his salary.

The Senators may have to take that route with Hammond.

He had hip surgery at the end of last season, but has been posting pictures on Twitter to show he’s healthy.