Report: Ottawa Senators May Not Qualify Winger Parker Kelly

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Ottawa Senators winger Parker Kelly just put together his best NHL season to date, posting career highs in pretty much every statistical category, including his eight goals and 18 points. He was excited to chip in more offensively and told us back in April that he credits a mindset change.

"I think just trying to stay consistent," said Kelly. "I think (2022-23) was a year where I maybe dwelled on things a little too long, like after a bad game, and it kind of snowballed. This year, I've (adopted) a 'whatever happens happens' mentality. The sun's always going to come up, and it's a new day."

But it would appear that his career-best may not be enough to get a new contract from the club.

Bruce Garrioch at Postmedia reported on Saturday that the Senators are leaning toward not making a qualifying offer to the restricted free agent. If that's the case, Kelly would head for July 1st as an unrestricted free agent. Although, as Garrioch suggests, it isn't yet carved in stone.

Kelly just turned 25 and has been with the organization for a long time. After four years in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in the Western Hockey League, Kelly went undrafted and signed with the Senators as a free agent in 2017.

Through hard work and defence, Kelly eventually made his way to the NHL, finally becoming a bonafide full-timer in 2023-24. He played 80 NHL games this past season. His previous high was 55.