Senators unlikely to sign unrestricted free agents to long-term contracts

The Ottawa Senators don't expect to sign any unrestricted free agents to long-term contracts, general manager Pierre Dorion said Thursday.

"Last year, we added veterans we felt helped the growth of our younger players and the growth of our team," Dorion said. "It's something that we could look at in the short term (prior to the 2020-21 season), but as far as adding any UFAs for the long term, or for multiple years, that's probably not something we're going to look at."

Dorion said the decision to sign a player to a short-term contract could come down to how well the Senators do in the NHL Draft Lottery. They have two lottery picks and the second- and third-best odds (13.5 percent, 11.5 percent) of being awarded the No. 1 pick during the First Phase of the lottery June 26. The Detroit Red Wings have the best odds at 18.5 percent.

The NHL Draft order might determine how aggressive they could be in free agency. Ottawa could have three picks in the first round, seven in the opening two rounds and 13 over seven rounds.

"If you're going to pick Nos. 1-2, it's different than picking Nos. 5-6," Dorion said. "The players going 1-2 probably have a higher chance of playing in the NHL next year. At the same time, we know we're going to take two good players with our first two picks."

The Senators could also utilize draft picks in trades.

"I don't think I'm going to tip my hand on what we'll do with our picks," Dorion said. "I'm sure as we get closer to the draft, there will be multiple discussions. We know that we have a plan in place, and we're going to follow that plan. We're going to do things properly. That's part of having long-term success and building a championship-caliber team if we do the right thing with this draft.

"We always knew that this would be one of the better drafts in the last 10-20 years, and that's the reason why we stockpiled those picks."

The Senators have their first-round pick and the one they acquired in the trade that sent defenseman Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 13, 2018. They also gained a conditional first-round pick from the New York Islanders in a trade for center Jean-Gabriel Pageau on Feb. 24. If the Islanders' first-round pick this year becomes a top-three selection, Ottawa will receive New York's first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Dorion did not elaborate when asked if he's started talks with any of the Senators' pending unrestricted free agents including defensemen Ron Hainsey and Mark Borowiecki, and goalie Craig Anderson. Among their restricted free agents are forwards Anthony Duclair, Chris Tierney and Connor Brown.

Forward Mikkel Boedker, another pending unrestricted free agent, signed a two-year contract with Lugano of Switzerland's National League on Tuesday after two seasons with Ottawa.

"We know what we need to do from now to when the season starts (in 2020-21), and we'll make sure that we'll get it done," Dorion said.