After a drop in overall production and being included in trade speculation prior to the deadline, pending restricted free agent Patrick Wiercioch likely won’t be tendered a qualifying offer by the Ottawa Senators, according to a report from the Ottawa Sun.
The 25-year-old defenseman recorded just five assists in 52 games this past season for the Senators, with a cap hit of $2 million, as per General Fanager. Two seasons ago, Wiercioch scored four goals and a career-best 23 points.
This means Wiercioch will have to shop himself around as a unrestricted free agent on July 1.
With a cap hit of $2 million last season, the Senators would have to hand over a $2.7 million qualifying offer to retain Wiercioch’s rights because that’s what he made in real dollars in 2015-16.
The Senators selected Wiercioch in the second round of the 2008 draft. He was signed to a three-year, $6 million contract in July 2013 after an impressive rookie campaign.