Apparently JBD and Sokolov both cleared waivers, so they dodged a pretty serious bullet there in terms of questionable asset management. Personally, I think there's a good chance you could see both traded before the end of the year, because they're of very limited use in terms of being an NHL call-up. It also probably doesn't help things that they were so publicly dismissed by the team. All eyes now on Joseph, as they can clear another $1.125M by putting him in the AHL, and then probably had enough to sign Pinto to a 1yr deal.
- khawk

Agree re: JBD, never believed in the guy and it's clear draft pedigree was the justification for the one way multi year deal, because his stats are objectively terrible. Sokolov I believe still could surprise. Takes time for most to adjust to the show, and this guy's never really been given any. Let him ride the fourth alternating with MacEwen, or just replace Kelly with him. It would be quite difficult to be worse than Kelly, who we know with absolute certainty would clear waivers.

I think Sokolov and JBD don't clear waivers until 2pm Wed. They would have had to have been placed on waivers by 2pm Monday to clear by 2pm Tuesday. So they were unofficially placed on waivers Monday night which means it is Tuesday at 2pm that their waiver period starts. At least that is my understanding of waivers.

Quite frankly, if both get snapped up then fine. But I still think both will clear. Their numbers aren't good enough to take that kind of chance and any team snapping them up has to keep them on the team for the season (can't send them to the AHL).

Sometimes we the fans are too guilty of over valuing our own prospects.

What I think the real story of camp is what will happen to MacEwen and Kelly and Bailey. None of them have played well enough to be on the team. I would rather have Smejkal over Bailey, and I think that Greig or Chartier could play the other position over Kelly. These next 2 games should go a long way in determining who makes this team. Jarventie has too much talent for the 4rth line.

But the big elephants in the room .... Is Norris healthy enough, and will they sign Pinto.

As for the final defensive spot .... Guenette has earned his shot through this camp and through his season in Belleville last year. Being a first round pick like JBD and Thomson ... their failures have nothing to do with proper asset management. They failed to make the team, period. It happens all the time and there is nothing that shows that any team really wants these guys enough to make a trade. Over time we will see if they can carve out a career in the NHL. "Asset Management" is just lingo for oops, we screwed up drafting this guy too high. Guenette was picked 177th in the same draft year that Thomson was picked 19th. Guenette has made the most out of his chances and development.

Apparently JBD and Sokolov both cleared waivers, so they dodged a major bullet there in terms of questionable asset management. Personally, I think there's a good chance you could see both traded before the end of the year, because they're of very limited use in terms of being an NHL call-up. It also probably doesn't help things that they were so publicly dismissed by the team. All eyes now on Joseph, as they can clear another $1.125M by putting him in the AHL, and then probably had enough to sign Pinto to a 1yr deal.
- khawk

Not sure about putting Joseph in the AHL, that would be a bad look for the team that they would do that to a player who is good enough to play in the NHL, just overpaid. Does it still happen that often?

and to be fair to Joseph he has looked good in camp

Not sure about putting Joseph in the AHL, that would be a bad look for the team that they would do that to a player who is good enough to play in the NHL, just overpaid. Does it still happen that often?
- david22

The whole situation with Pinto is a bad look. Why Dorion thought any team would be willing to help them out by trading for Joseph during training camp is utterly beyond me, but he's allowed this situation fester into a major problem. As for the "just overpaid" part, the fact that no NHL team will trade for Joseph unless a 1st round pick is included, or that he's almost certain to clear waivers after every single NHL team has a chance to pick him up for nothing is all the evidence that you need that his contract is more than a bit problematic. If anything, demoting him to the AHL will allow him to stay within the team's system, return to the NHL in the event of a major injury (which is likely), and even play in the playoffs.

The whole situation with Pinto is a bad look. Why Dorion thought any team would be willing to help them out by trading for Joseph during training camp is utterly beyond me, but he's allowed this situation fester into a major problem. As for the "just overpaid" part, the fact that no NHL team will trade for Joseph unless a 1st round pick is included, or that he's almost certain to clear waivers after every single NHL team has a chance to pick him up for nothing is all the evidence that you need that his contract is more than a bit problematic. If anything, demoting him to the AHL will allow him to stay within the team's system, return to the NHL in the event of a major injury (which is likely), and even play in the playoffs.
- khawk

Good point.


Before the Hamonic/Bernard-Docker/MacEwen signings, I'd have made sure to get Pinto signed first. That I will agree is bad management by Dorion. Which further adds to the arguement that the Sens need a second assistant GM to manage the cap and issues around the cap. Dorion can't be allowed to do this on his own. Back when we were well under the cap, it was really not an issue. Now it is an issue.

Well, JBD and Sokolov clear waivers. The panicked folks who screamed mismanagement can breathe a sigh of relief. Both players have quite a bit of work to do in the AHL. Who knows, maybe they improve over the next couple of months and work their way back into a place where they are a movable asset. JBD and Sokolov just might not have more of a ceiling than what they have reached. It happens. However, I believe the Sens waived Mike Hoffman once upon a time successfully and he went on to have a good NHL career.

Will be an interesting week to see if Pinto can be signed. It’s never ideal when a young player misses training camp and preseason action. With the prospect of Norris maybe not being ready to go, it makes the signing of Pinto more pressing.

Well, JBD and Sokolov clear waivers. The panicked folks who screamed mismanagement can breathe a sigh of relief. Both players have quite a bit of work to do in the AHL. Who knows, maybe they improve over the next couple of months and work their way back into a place where they are a movable asset. JBD and Sokolov just might not have more of a ceiling than what they have reached. It happens. However, I believe the Sens waived Mike Hoffman once upon a time successfully and he went on to have a good NHL career.

Will be an interesting week to see if Pinto can be signed. It’s never ideal when a young player misses training camp and preseason action. With the prospect of Norris maybe not being ready to go, it makes the signing of Pinto more pressing.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Sadly, Sokolov may just not have the skating to make it in the NHL. Hope I'm wrong, but if he had even average skating he'd be a real threat out there.

I know he's been working on it, a lot, but it's one of those things you really can't fix after a certain point.

Better for Belleville and other players' development if he and JBD are there though.

Has this been posted here?

Gap widens between Senators, Shane Pinto in contract talks

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-pinto-in-contract-talks/

Has this been posted here?

Gap widens between Senators, Shane Pinto in contract talks

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-pinto-in-contract-talks/
- HoweHatrick

That $1Mx1yr offer is nonsense in terms of a realistic offer, but it's pretty clear that something around $2Mx1yr will probably get things done... with the assumption that he'll get a much better long-term offer next off-season. That's why I think you'll see Joseph get waived, because they need to have enough $$$ to cover off that Pinto deal plus have a minimum 20-player roster to start the season, and $1.125M in additional cap space would pretty much hit that mark exactly.

???
- OttawaB

I don’t see you staying with us!

Staios - Staying

By the sound of it, Norris had a setback with his shoulder and he may simply go on LTIR. Perhaps the problem will be solved for Pinto.

By the sound of it, Norris had a setback with his shoulder and he may simply go on LTIR. Perhaps the problem will be solved for Pinto.
- HoweHatrick

Norris maybe a future buyout candidate, his buyout aint that bad, credit of 100K first 3 years cat hit of 700k on year 4, 1.5M on year five, 2.3M on year 6 and than 1.4M for the remaining 6 years

Norris maybe a future buyout candidate, his buyout aint that bad, credit of 100K first 3 years cat hit of 700k on year 4, 1.5M on year five, 2.3M on year 6 and than 1.4M for the remaining 6 years
- Mithos

Great. But he shouldn't have been signed to that term and amount when he was. For gawd sakes, even Zegras got a bridge deal.

Mike Johnson comments on Josh Norris:
https://www.tsn.ca/radio/...out-josh-norris-1.2016782

If Ottawa is cap compliant on day 1 of the season, you can bank the full value of Josh Norris's contract if he is then placed on LTIR. In other words, get to day 1 of the season, place Norris on LTIR for 10 games/24 days, immediately sign Pinto and then have Norris sit out the first 10+ games needed to be cap compliant on the season.

This seems like the best path forward.

Mike Johnson comments on Josh Norris:
https://www.tsn.ca/radio/...out-josh-norris-1.2016782

If Ottawa is cap compliant on day 1 of the season, you can bank the full value of Josh Norris's contract if he is then placed on LTIR. In other words, get to day 1 of the season, place Norris on LTIR for 10 games/24 days, immediately sign Pinto and then have Norris sit out the first 10+ games needed to be cap compliant on the season.

This seems like the best path forward.
- SensFan25

Yeah I heard this. This is great for Pinto but man this is SO concerning and frustrating as a Sens fan. Norris is a HUGE x-factor for this team. At this point I would explore all options, including a trade at some point down the road

Cam Pinto sign a deal with bonuses?

Cam Pinto sign a deal with bonuses?
- GrimmdaGoalie

Sure. Connor Brown did this in Edmonton - if he hits them, you just take the bonuses off next year's cap.

...... or .........

we could just go out and trade for an LTIR contract (Lyttle or Voracek with Arizona) and use it when needed. No one needs to be traded, and we can go with 22 players on the roster to start. I'm not sure why no one talks about this possibility ?

Cam Pinto sign a deal with bonuses?
- GrimmdaGoalie

I thought you had to be 35+ or something for that.

So.
Great preseason so far.
Phantom numbers?

Tarasenko is lost on the power play.
He clearly fits into Norris's spot --the Ovi on the other side scenario but for whatever reason they just aren't getting it over there. This coach...I swear. This was my fear. Beyond him not playing the kids for 4 years he's now finally got a great roster, signed and ready and it all just gets vomitted out on ice to "go gettem".

I sincerely hope they start 2-10 and he seeks life elsewhere.

...... or .........

we could just go out and trade for an LTIR contract (Lyttle or Voracek with Arizona) and use it when needed. No one needs to be traded, and we can go with 22 players on the roster to start. I'm not sure why no one talks about this possibility ?
- OttawaB

This scenario has been mentioned on a number of occasions. If it was an option the team was looking at, you'd think Dorion would have explored it by now. Likely because Dorion has painted himself into a corner, prices are being inflated, much like the rumoured cost of a first rounder to move Joseph's contract.

So.
Great preseason so far.
Phantom numbers?

Tarasenko is lost on the power play.
He clearly fits into Norris's spot --the Ovi on the other side scenario but for whatever reason they just aren't getting it over there. This coach...I swear. This was my fear. Beyond him not playing the kids for 4 years he's now finally got a great roster, signed and ready and it all just gets vomitted out on ice to "go gettem".

I sincerely hope they start 2-10 and he seeks life elsewhere.
- Octavarium

Always hard to gauge pre-season, you can make inferences based on players' performance. Giroux still looks like he hasn't lost a step though which is promising.

I'll be a little hypocritical and say Taranseko not excelling doesn't mean much though.

This scenario has been mentioned on a number of occasions. If it was an option the team was looking at, you'd think Dorion would have explored it by now. Likely because Dorion has painted himself into a corner, prices are being inflated, much like the rumoured cost of a first rounder to move Joseph's contract.
- Bartacus

How many contracts are there in the league they could trade for to acquire dead cap space?

So.
Great preseason so far.
Phantom numbers?

Tarasenko is lost on the power play.
He clearly fits into Norris's spot --the Ovi on the other side scenario but for whatever reason they just aren't getting it over there. This coach...I swear. This was my fear. Beyond him not playing the kids for 4 years he's now finally got a great roster, signed and ready and it all just gets vomitted out on ice to "go gettem".

I sincerely hope they start 2-10 and he seeks life elsewhere.
- Octavarium

I won’t read too much into pre-season action, especially for veteran players.

DJ is on the hot seat. There won’t be much room for error even if a significant player like Norris is out of the lineup. It might be a weird season. New high ups almost always result in new management and coaches. With new ownership and Staios at the helm, they are likely itching at trying to get another guy behind the bench if things start off rocky.