Patrick Wiercioch’s days with the Senators appear to be numbered.
While qualifying offers to restricted free agents aren’t due until the end of June, the indication in NHL circles is unless the Senators have a change of heart they won’t tender one to the 25-year-old defenceman.
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.