One player whose name has been in the rumor mill as of late is Senators center Derek Stepan amidst reports that Ottawa is trying to move him. However, GM Pierre Dorion was quick to clarify on TSN 1200 (audio link) that the veteran hasn’t asked for a deal:
No, he hasn’t indicated anything along that line to us. We can tell with our conversations that I’ve had with him that I think it’s only human that … when you only see your newborn for a day or two that it can be difficult on any type of human being.
Meanwhile, Stepan himself was recently asked about his situation and while he acknowledged to reporters, including Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, that the prospect of being away from his family for the entire season is far from ideal, he was looking forward to this opportunity with the Sens:
I’m doing to the best I can to stay focused on Ottawa Senators’ hockey. That’s really all I can control right now is focusing on helping this group the way I wanted to and the way I planned to when I first got traded here.
I believed that I was going to be able to come in and make a bigger impact right away with my play. No training camp and the situation just kind of piled up. I knew it was going to be difficult and when it happened, I knew the hockey part was going to be a lot of fun.
But, the more difficult part would be the family stuff and so I was aware of it. As I continue to battle through this thing, I’ve got to keep my head going forward and stay focused in on a game at a time. I know it’s cliche and you guys probably hate it, but that’s all I can really do right now.
The 30-year-old was surprisingly acquired by Ottawa for a second-round pick just after Christmas from Arizona in exchange for a second-round pick in a deal that gave the Coyotes some much-needed salary cap relief. While Stepan was hoping to make that bigger impact, it hasn’t quite materialized yet. He has just a single goal with three assists in 14 games this season while his ice time has actually dipped by more than two minutes per night to just 15:31 per game.
Nonetheless, the veteran would be a desirable addition to the bottom six group of a contending team although the salary cap will certainly affect things. He has a $6.5MM AAV (though just a prorated $2MM is owed in salary with his signing bonus already paid) which most teams can’t afford. Even if Ottawa retained the maximum 50%, they’d still likely need to take a contract back to facilitate a move. Although the Senators certainly appear to be trying to do Stepan a favor by moving him back to the United States where he can be reunited with his family, it’s one that may have to take a while to accomplish.
Aww, hard to feel bad for a guy making multi millions but can only video call with his family for a couple months to make said multi millions
…if he had less money than you, would you then feel bad that he’s barely seen his newborn?
honestly i was trying to find an appropriate response but couldnt. simply just a bad take.
Simply a bad person.
At least seems to me a good father, while big daddy still try’s to figure out who his father is
Man, that’s low. I don’t even have kids but I can understand.
This is probably some 17 year old kid. At least, I hope it’s a child, because any adult that would say that is simply off their rocker.
Hey, heartless jerk. Not only are you completely lacking in empathy, you also are completely lacking in facts. He is making 2 million as his base salary. So after taxes, he is not making “multi-millions”. Of course, the fact that he loves his family and wants to be with them shouldn’t have anything to do with his income. However, you are clearly lacking in love in your life so I hope that you find some support and love in your life. Best of luck, Match.com works.
Your kids should be #1 no matter you pay scale or job title. Your family (wife, siblings, parents) should come after that. Then your career.
The guy is in a tough spot and needs to make the money for his family. But I wouldnt and dont blame him for wanting to be closer to home.
DeAngelo for Stepan?
Yes
Sorry for offending everyone here but he will have the rest of his life to spend with his child. Would Ottawa not be the bad guy in this situation for acquiring Stepan knowing he was about to have a new born child and wouldn’t be able to see it as he was traded for only shortly before the season began?
go to bed
Not offended. Just feel bad for you if you actually think this way, rather than just spuriously bluster it.
How dare you speak to the coach like this!
I managed a team of misfits to glory.
I know more about life then you ever could. So going forward sit down and listen well the coach and adults speak.
Thanks
“The 30-year-old was surprisingly acquired by Ottawa for a second-round pick just after Christmas from Arizona in exchange for a second-round pick in a deal that gave the Coyotes some much-needed salary cap relief.”
Quality writing, this.
It’s shocking to my mind how everyone is knocking bigdaddyt.
If he really wants to be with his family he can retire, end his contract, saving Ottawa a lot of money.
Stepan is a “professional” and paid a ridiculous amount of money in that regard. We shouldn’t as the public have any knowledge of his personal desires. How many other players are in the same situation and they are doing their job without publicity.
If a soldier misses their family, do they get to bail on their tour of duty because they miss their kids?
Do the legal and illegal migrants who pick fruit in North America sending every penny home get a voice of complaint to go back to see their kids?
His pocket change will see his family 100 years into the future when compared to the average salary of 40K a year in the US. He makes close to 40K in 2 days based on his pre-tax annual salary (pro-rated over the years of his contract).