If Alex Formenton returns to the NHL, it will not to be with the Ottawa Senators.

General manager Steve Staios said Wednesday that he and Formenton’s agent agreed that a “fresh start” would be best for both sides.

Staios added that Formenton would not be returning the organization despite the team still owning his player rights as a restricted free agent. He said the team would gauge the market for a trade.

Formenton is one of five players who were acquitted of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in 2018 when they were members of Canada’s world junior team. The NHL has since suspended the players until Dec. 1, but they are be eligible to sign contracts on Oct. 15.

The NHL’s decision came roughly seven weeks after Formenton, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Dillon Dube were found not guilty by a judge in London, Ont. The Crown told lawyers for the players last month it would not appeal the ruling.

Formenton, 26, last played for the Senators in the 2021-22 season, when he recorded 18 goals and 14 assists in 79 games.

The Barrie, Ont., native has since spent three seasons in the Swiss A League. He was originally selected 47th overall by the Senators in the 2017 NHL Draft.