Apparently his options are Montreal or Ottawa. The Sens offered him 8 x 10, and we are one year removed from that. If he’s willing to go back to Ottawa that means he’s willing to take 10 million x 7 years from them.. Montreal is a much better destination for him and gives him a legitimate chance at a cup in the Price/Weber window. If he’s reasonable, he’ll take the 10 million and let Price retain the title of highest paid Hab.
I don’t think EK is coming here but while I don’t think he will, I know he isn’t going to Ottawa. Basically, no chance Ottawa even offers him a competitive contract. I also do see him preferring Montreal at this point given we have a more veteran team. Finally, not knowing where his old home and his wife’s family live, if he chooses to live in West Montreal, it may even be closer than wherever he lived in Ottawa as the Sens play like an hour outside the city don’t they?
On the topic of Kessel, I know jokes are made about his, um, look and the video of him dogging it on a bike is well known, but in the ice, the guy is a competitor. Maybe if he was goin to compete with Drouin in a fitness and swimsuit contest, Drouin will beat him, but on the ice, the effort level isn’t the same at all.