OTTAWA — Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios says Alex Formenton won’t return to the team when the winger becomes eligible to return to the NHL.

Formenton was one of five players acquitted in July of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in London, Ont., in 2018 when they were members of Canada’s world junior team.

The NHL has since reinstated the players and made them eligible to sign contracts on Oct. 15 and take part in games on Dec. 1.

Formenton is the only one of the five who is a restricted free agent, with the Senators retaining his rights.

Staios says he spoke with Formenton’s agent and that both sides agreed it was best for the 26-year-old to move on.

Formenton hasn’t played in the NHL since 2021-22, spending parts of three seasons with Swiss club HC Ambri

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