NHL Rumors: 3 Ottawa Senators Who Aren't Expected Back Next Season

The Ottawa Senators couldn't get passed the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, getting eliminated in six games. While the Senators made tremendous strides this season, it's left a bad taste in their mouth to start the summer, but make no mistake about it, they'll be back.

GM Steve Staios will have his hands full this offseason as he looks to continue to improve the roster. Changes are inevitable in a hard salary cap world, here's three Senators who aren't expected back next season:

Claude Giroux

It's going to come down to dollars making sense here, as Giroux loves it in Ottawa, and wants to continue his NHL career, but Staios will have to play hardball in negotiations to ensure he's leaving enough money to spread around his roster. Giroux made $6.5 million this season, and as a 37-year-old, won't be able to fetch this kind of AAV on his next contract, which will probably end up being a one-year deal. Giroux recorded five points in six games against the Leafs, and continues to prove he can chip in with secondary scoring. If Ottawa walks away, it will be interesting to see if the Montreal Canadiens come calling.

Travis Hamonic

Another NHL veteran who likely isn't in Ottawa's cards next season, Hamonic loves being a Senator, but will likely hit the open market this summer. The 34-year-old right-handed blueliner can still contribute in a depth, bottom-pair role, but unfortunately for him, wasn't able to crack the Sens' playoff lineup. It's obvious they'll be moving on this offseason.

Anton Forsberg

With Ullmark the starter for the now, and the future, the Senators will likely let Forsberg walk, as he'll demand roughly the same contract as his current one, which pays him $2.75 million AAV. He only won 11 of his 30 appearances this season, and in order to keep Ullmark fresh for next season's playoffs, look for Ottawa to try and find a better suite 1-B option as their backup.