Quickie blog on a Saturday afternoon:
The gulf between the Ottawa Senators and restricted free agent Shane Pinto widened this week. According to several sources, the player was disappointed with a recent offer in the one-year, $1M range.
Pinto’s agent, Lewis Gross, and Senators GM Pierre Dorion both declined to comment.
The Senators are very tight to the cap and have the collective-bargaining hammer in this case, as Pinto did not have arbitration rights and is not eligible for an offer sheet. They have looked at moving another contract to create cap room, and seem confident they will be able to do so once they come to terms with Pinto.
Pinto is believed to be seeking a salary in the $2.5M range. He could, in theory, ask for a trade, but those same sources were adamant that has not happened, that he prefers to stay and the Senators have made it very clear they want to keep him. They see Pinto’s potential.
The key thing to remember is one phone call could change things. But the stalemate has lasted all summer, the season starts in 10 days and everyone’s clearly frustrated.
Stay tuned.
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