In a press conference introducing Matt Duchene this morning, Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion explained why an extension was never completed with Kyle Turris. Dorion believed it was never about the value of the contract, lauding praise on Turris for his play and everything he did in Ottawa, but announced that there was “never going to be movement from seven or eight years.” Turris of course signed a six-year extension with the Nashville Predators, but Dorion admits that length was “never put on the table” for the Senators.
In response to another question, Dorion reports that the Turris camp never requested a trade. He felt it was a “no-brainer” and even admitted he had a plane ready for Duchene on Friday night—when the first deal originally fell apart—and wanted him in the Senators’ lineup on Saturday.
Turris’ extension takes another name off the free agent market, as he would have been one of the top available players this summer. Well on his way to another successful offensive season, Turris has nine points in 11 games and could receive even more scoring chances in the Nashville system.
Interestingly, when Turris spoke with Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com he had a different outlook on negotiations with the Senators, saying that “it was very apparent things weren’t going to work out with Ottawa.” Turris also explained that a six-year deal wasn’t pushed forward from their camp either, making it clear that the two sides were headed for a breakup one way or another. Duchene will be under contract for the Senators for an additional year, while Nashville adds to their center depth on a long-term contract.