Josh Bailey Signs PTO, But the Wait Continues for Senators’ RFA Shane Pinto

When word spread free agent veteran forward Josh Bailey agreed to a professional try-out with the Ottawa Senators, the first comments on social media sites were, “That’s not Shane Pinto.”

Per Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, talks remain far apart with the restricted free-agent centre. On his podcast, Freidman intimated Pinto’s agent Lewis Gross is seeking a contract in the mid-$2 million range for his client, and that teams such as Boston and Philadelphia are among those vying for his services if he can’t come to terms with the Senators. But at only 22 years old, it behooves the Senators to do what they can to keep the youngster.

After playing only five games in the 2021-22 campaign which ended with shoulder surgery, Pinto appeared in all 82 games last season, posting 20 goals (fourth among NHL rookies), and 15 assists.

Due to a shoulder injury to centre Josh Norris, the Long Island resident was elevated to second-line duty for the bulk of the season, seeing plenty of time on the Senators’ second power play unit, and killed penalties on occasion. A leader in faceoffs while at the University of North Dakota, Pinto registered a 52.1 % in the dots.

Earlier in the week Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion said he’d like to have the 22-year-old in Ottawa when training camp opens Wednesday, but obviously, there’s work to be done between the two parties. Without Shane Pinto in the lineup, the club’s centre depth takes a large hit.

Mark Kastelic plays the middle on the fourth line, and Ridly Greig has skated at centre at the junior level. Newcomer Jiri Smejkal can play the pivot position in a pinch. Then there’s 20-year-old Zack Ostapchuk who’s likely ticketed for Belleville in what will be his first pro season.

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As for Josh Bailey’s invite to Senators’ training camp, the 15-year veteran right wing who’s spent his entire NHL career with the New York Islanders, potentially fills a role similar to that of Derick Brassard last season.

Brassard arrived in camp on a PTO last September, parlaying his performance into a one-year contract, garnering 13 goals, and 10 assists, while earning the PHWA Masterton Trophy nomination from Senators’ media.

Turning 34 on October 2, Bailey will need to perform well in the preseason to earn a roster spot. A bonus for the Islanders 2008 ninth overall Draft selection, is his familiarity with Senators’ current coaches in the past.

The native of Bowmanville, ON, played under associate coach Jack Capuano who was previously Islanders’ head coach for seven seasons.

Bailey spent the final one and a half seasons of his junior career with the Ontario League Windsor Spitfires where Senators head coach D.J. Smith served as an assistant. While current assistant Bob Jones was an associate coach with the Spitfires in 2007-08 when a 17-year-old Bailey led the team in scoring, earning 96 points, (29 goals, 67 assists)

But for Pinto and Bailey to each ink deals with the team, Dorion will have to make a move or two. It’s well-known the Senators are tight to the salary cap with slightly under $900,000 remaining before they hit the $83.5M ceiling.

Dorion must shift at least $2.5M or more salary out to accommodate the pair of Pinto and Bailey. How the GM does this is anyone’s guess. But with only four days away, the GM will assuredly prefer to have the entire situation sorted by then.