Patrick Wiercioch’s days with the Senators appear to be numbered.

While qualifying offers to restricted free agents aren’t due until the end of June, the indication in NHL circles is unless the Senators have a change of heart they won’t tender one to the 25-year-old defenceman.

This means Wiercioch will have to shop himself around as a unrestricted free agent on July 1.

With a cap hit of $2 million last season, the Senators would have to hand over a $2.7 million qualifying offer to retain Wiercioch’s rights because that’s what he made in real dollars in 2015-16.

It’s believed Senators general manager Pierre Dorion told Wiercioch in his exit meeting in April it was doubtful the club would keep him.

Before the Senators make the move, it is expected they will try to deal Wiercioch. However, Ottawa attempted to do that at February's trade deadline and all three interested teams dropped out of the discussions when push came to shove.

Wiercioch’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, was tight-lipped when reached Tuesday about the situation. Speaking to Postmedia from Denver, Overhardt wouldn’t say if the Senators have given Wiercioch the right to shop himself around.

“I don’t discuss with media what management and I talk about regarding my client,” Overhardt, who also represents centre Kyle Turris, said politely. “It’s a totally valid question but it’s a private conversation, a business conversation, and that’s really just who I am as a professional.”

The belief is, if Wiercioch is let go he’ll get an NHL job but will have to be open to the idea of accepting a two-way deal.

No, this change wouldn’t come as a major surprise, however, it is another sign that moves are on the way in the off-season.

Wiercioch was drafted by the Senators 42nd overall in the 2008 NHL draft and turned pro from the University of Denver in 2010. He spent parts of three seasons in the AHL with Binghamton.

The Burnaby, B.C. produce has struggled to find consistency at this level and missed 15 of the club’s final 16 games of the season with a right shoulder injury.

Wiercioch finished strong during the 2014-15 campaign, was invited to play for Team Canada at the world championships in the spring where he was one of the club’s best defenceman, but was unable to pick up where he left off. He was a healthy scratch 12 times in 2015-16.

Wiercioch will likely get an NHL job because teams are always looking for defenceman but his $2.7-million price tag is a little rich for the Senators, especially given the role he has played.

“If, in fact, the team doesn’t qualify my client we will be pursuing opportunities with other teams,” Overhardt said. “There’s time in this whole process here.”

Since taking over the GM’s role last month, Dorion has promised the Ottawa roster will look different this fall.

If Wiercioch is sent packing, the likely plan is to either trade for a veteran defenceman or find one through the free agency who can play in the No. 5 or No. 6 role just to give the club some more depth.

Ottawa signed blueliner Chris Wideman to a two-year, $1.6 million extension in February. After hiring coach Guy Boucher, Dorion is focused on trying to get deals in place with restricted free agent winger Mike Hoffman and defenceman Cody Ceci, who is at worlds.

The Senators must also decide what they’re going to do with Alex Chiasson.

The winger is a restricted free agent who made $1.2 million on a one-year deal signed through arbitration last summer but the possibility exists that he could be dealt before next month's draft in Buffalo.

Ottawa already has defencemen Erik Karlsson, Dion Phaneuf, Marc Methot, Mark Borowiecki and Wideman under contract. Veteran defenceman Chris Phillips, who was out all season with a back injury, isn’t expected to resume his playing career but has yet to make a final decision on what’s next.

Thomas Chabot, the club’s first pick in last June’s draft, is signed to an entry-level deal and is expected to at least push for playing time in training camp. Binghamton’s Freddy Claesson, who is an RFA, and Ben Harpur were both given the chance to play down the stretch.

It certainly appears Wiercioch will be on the outside looking in when the dust settles next month.

Email: bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter: @sungarrioch