As their new majority owner Michael Andlauer pointed out on Monday, the Ottawa Senators need to make room on their payroll if they hope to sign forward Shane Pinto, and one of the solutions could be a deal involving Quebecer Mathieu Joseph.
The latter has a contract that runs for another three years and his annual compensation will represent $2.95 million on the “Sens” payroll. However, they only have a margin of $120,000 and Pinto remains a free agent with no compensation. According to website The Fourth Period, there have also been negotiations with the Philadelphia Flyers, a team that could cover the salary of Joseph, who had an 18-point haul in 56 games last year.
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However, the Pennsylvania organization would look to pluck young Tyler Boucher, who was selected 10th overall in the 2021 draft by the Ottawa club. The winger played last season with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The bill is likely to be high for the Senators’ general manager, Pierre Dorion. He will have to give up at least part of his group of players unless he lets go of Pinto, who scored 20 goals in 82 games during the 2022-2023 season.