Prior to the Ottawa Senators’ matchup with the New York Islanders Thursday, a free agent controversy took a sharp turn. The NHL announced that Shane Pinto has received a 41-game suspension in violation of NHL gambling rules.
Prior to the Ottawa Senators’ matchup with the New York Islanders Thursday, a free agent controversy took a sharp turn. The NHL has announced that Shane Pinto received a 41-game suspension in violation of NHL gambling rules.
The Senators have played six games already, seven tonight, as that will count against games served.
Pinto, a Long Island native of Franklin Square, is in the midst of a contract holdout with the Senators. As an RFA, he declined the qualifying offer and has been at an impasse with the Senators since the summer.
However, Ottawa will be without him until January 31, and Pinto may be forced to sign that qualifying offer ($875,000), but not until that date.
While the controversy unfolded, a former Islander who attended Senators’ camp on a pro tryout visited the team at UBS Arena.
According to TSN1200, Josh Bailey visited the team at their morning skate. However, with Pinto’s status now in doubt, could he potentially receive a call from Ottawa to fill in
Bailey had a strong showing in the preseason on the stat sheet. He notched a goal and five assists, six points, and was among the last round of cuts for the team. However, with a roster spot open, Bailey could be an ideal solution.
However, the Senators have a whopping $42,568 in available cap space and would need to clear $832,432 to fit Pinto, so signing anyone else is something that just isn't possible, even if it's a player on a league minimum $750,000.
As a result, Pinto’s suspension propels Ottawa into further uncertainty with the contract situation.