Posts

Posted on

Yankees sign veteran RHP Anthony DeSclafani to minor league deal

The Yankees have signed veteran right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to a minor league deal on Tuesday and will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

DeSclafani, 35, was with the Giants a year ago but was part of a trade to the Twins in the Robbie Ray deal to the Mariners. He was then part of a trade with the Twins for shortstop Jorge Polanco. Unfortunately for DeSclafani, he suffered an elbow injury in his throwing arm that required season-ending surgery.

Prior to going under the knife, DeSclafani pitched 19 games (18 starts), where he pitched to a 4-8 record and a 4.88 ERA. His best season came in 2021 with the Reds when he pitched to a 13-7 record and a 3.17 ERA across 31 starts.

Over his nine-year career, DeSclafani has a 54-56 record with a 4.20 ERA with the Marlins, Reds and Giants.

With Carlos Carrasco recently DFA'd and sent to Triple-A after clearing waivers, the Yankees are looking for a potential arm in the rotation to pitch alongside Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Will Warren and Clarke Schmidt.

Posted on

Five NHL Playoff Underachievers: Who's Failing to Meet Expectations In Big Moments?

Connor Hellebuyck and Mason Marchment (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

The NHL playoffs have already provided a fair share of players reaching another level, but for some high-profile names, the spotlight's not flattering.

Based on their regular-season results or post-season expectations, these five NHL players are underachieving when it matters most. While some of them simply have another gear they can reach in the second round, others are just not good right now.

Mason Marchment, LW, Dallas Stars

Mason Marchment enjoyed a solid regular season with more than 20 goals but has vanished in the playoffs for the Dallas Stars, contributing just one goal and three points. 

Worse, his growing frustration boiled over when he tapped an official with his stick – a move widely condemned by broadcasters. 

“You can’t make contact with an official under any circumstances,” said Sportsnet’s Kelly Hrudey.

Added ESPN’s Ray Ferraro: “I don’t know what the hell he was thinking.” 

Marchment’s emotional edge, often an asset, has become a liability in the post-season. While he should feel fortunate that he escaped supplementary discipline, he’s taken five penalties and only drawn two. Combined with his low scoring, he’s not living up to the moment right now.

Darnell Nurse, D, Edmonton Oilers

Credit should go to the Edmonton Oilers and their blueline, which has stepped up in the absence of the injured Mattias Ekholm. 

That said, Darnell Nurse struggles as often as he is useful in the playoffs, and this year is no different.

As the Edmonton Journal’s David Staples pointed out, in nine games, the Oilers’ highest-paid defenseman made major mistakes on nine even-strength goals against. 

With Ekholm sidelined, Nurse was elevated to play alongside Evan Bouchard, but playing alongside a top-tier defenseman hasn’t changed Nurse’s underlying numbers. 

Perhaps the most obvious of mistakes came in Game 3’s collapse against Vegas, which saw Nurse caught on his knees during critical goals.

Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner has excelled at times during this year’s playoffs with 12 points in 10 games. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs' pending UFA should achieve even more.

Marner has just two goals in the post-season, including zero shots in his last two games against the Florida Panthers. If Marner wants his next cap hit to be around Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million on his next contract, he can’t lack another gear when the Leafs had a chance to take a stranglehold on the second-round series.

Marner and Auston Matthews have now played four more games than Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, but they have combined for as many goals as their first-round opponent, with four.

It’s tough to complain about Marner recording 12 points, the sixth-most in the NHL, but a fellow right winger whose contract expires this summer is showing how it’s done. 

The Stars’ Mikko Rantanen, who signed an eight-year contract extension worth $12 million per season, has nearly as many assists as Marner’s 10, with nine. The biggest difference is that Rantanen has nine goals, including two hat tricks, two game-winners and 12 even-strength points, double Marner’s six.

One X user put it bluntly: “Marner when it comes time to negotiate his contract: ‘Pay me like Rantanen.’ Marner when it comes time to play like Rantanen: ‘LMAO I’m not Rantanen.’ ”

Can Someone Please Tell Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews There's A Playoff Series Going On?Can Someone Please Tell Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews There's A Playoff Series Going On?Can someone please let the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews know that there’s a playoff series going on that desperately needs his help.

Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, Washington Capitals

Pierre-Luc Dubois is an interesting case study of how a player can be hot and cold throughout an NHL career. His playoff woes continue after a productive 66-point regular season.

Dubois has yet to score in the post-season and has just three assists. Now with his fourth NHL team, Dubois’ reputation for disappearing remains a problem.

With the Washington Capitals on the verge of elimination now, Dubois is a key reason the team has struggled despite being one of the hottest clubs this season.

Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

Connor Hellebuyck’s playoff numbers are staggering – and not in a good way. 

With a .848 save percentage and 3.51 goals-against average, the Hart Trophy finalist has been a liability on the road, going 0-4 with a .772 SP and 6.65 GAA. 

Outside of a Game 2 shutout, he’s failed to look anything like the goalie most expect to be a shoo-in for the Vezina this season. Not only that, but the Winnipeg Jets are now two losses away from elimination, and he must win a game in Dallas to avoid the Jets going down 3-1 in the series.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Posted on

Trading Into First Overall Pick Is Possible For Blackhawks

Image

The New York Islanders jumped ten spots to select first in the 2024 NHL Draft by winning the first lottery. The Utah Hockey Club jumped from 14th to 4th by winning the second. That left the San Jose Sharks with the second overall pick and the Chicago Blackhawks at third. 

There is a lot of speculation about who each team in the top four will take. It will shape how the rest of the draft goes from there, as there is no clear-cut order that any of these top prospects could go in. 

Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman, is considered the number one prospect in the draft. Right behind him is forward Michael Misa. After that come names like James Hagens, Porter Martone, and Anton Frondell. 

Hagens, however, is a native of Long Island. This may make the Islanders think twice about passing on him. They already had one number one overall pick leave on them to go home. Hagens would already be home. 

If the Islanders wanted to select the hometown kid, the Blackhawks could help them while also helping themselves. With Connor Bedard, a smaller offensive-minded center, already in the mix, they would likely rather have Misa. 

Swapping with the New York Islanders would cost Chicago, as they’d be moving up two spots and getting a player that everyone deems to be better. They have plenty of other draft picks in 2025 and 2026 to offer, and they also have a cupboard loaded with outstanding prospects. 

It has been a long time since the number one overall pick in the NHL Draft has been traded. If there were a year that the streak would end, it would be this one. There isn’t a generational talent coming out, there isn’t even a sure-fire number one guy. There are plenty of great players, however, that will make teams take a pause. 

This wouldn’t be the first time that these two organizations swapped first-round picks, either. In fact, it has happened within the last year. On May 24th, 2024, the Islanders took an extra 2024 second-round pick from the Blackhawks to swap their 2024 first and second picks. 

Some new people are (and will be) in charge of the Islanders this time, but the organizations have worked well together many times before. If Kyle Davidson feels that Misa (or Schaefer) is his guy, he should be on the phone with the Islanders daily. 

The risk is there, considering the Islanders could take Hagens first overall without trading down. He did come into the year as the projected number one guy. However, trading up guarantees the guy that the Blackhawks want, and it stops other teams from potentially trading into that spot. Anything can happen. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

Posted on

What we learned as Koss' memorable slam powers Giants' win vs. D-backs

What we learned as Koss' memorable slam powers Giants' win vs. D-backs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO — The new City Connects have gotten off to a slow start. Luckily for the Giants marketing department, Robbie Ray was the one to wear the jersey out to the mound Tuesday night. 

The Giants have been unbeatable in Ray’s starts this season and that continued Tuesday, as they snapped a four-game losing streak with a 10-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks and picked up their first win in the City Connects 2.0. Ray threw 108 pitches, his most since he returned from Tommy John surgery last year, and an early deficit was wiped out when Christian Koss hit a grand slam to left for his first big league homer.

Koss’ slam gave the Giants a 4-3 lead and they pulled away from there. Willy Adames added a two-run shot and Ray took the lead through the sixth. 

Ray improved to 6-0 and tied Brandon Pfaadt, who gave up the slam, for the National League lead in wins. The Giants are 9-0 in Ray’s starts this year, and the left-hander is the first Giant to go 6-0 through nine starts since John Burkett in 1993. 

The Diamondbacks did threaten to end that streak in the eighth when they loaded the bases for the top of the order, but Camilo Doval threw a 100.2 mph cutter to Ketel Marte that was bounced back to the mound for an inning-ending double play. The scoreless outing was the 15th in a row for Doval. 

In the bottom of the inning, Jung Hoo Lee put the game out of reach. The Diamondbacks intentionally walked Heliot Ramos to set up a left-on-left matchup, but Lee spoiled their plans with a three-run homer to right that delighted the crowd on Korean Heritage Night at Oracle Park.

Koss The Boss

On Tuesday morning, Tyler Fitzgerald and Casey Schmitt started rehab assignments with Triple-A Sacramento, joining Jerar Encarnacion. All three will be back on the roster in the next couple of weeks and Fitzgerald — the starting second baseman — should be back at some point this week. 

Koss’ run in the starting lineup is coming to an end, and it’s possible he gets caught up in a roster shakeup once Schmitt and Encarnacion are back in the mix, as well. But he certainly took advantage of the latest start and made a statement at a time when the Giants are desperately searching for contributions at the bottom of their order and from their backups. 

Koss became the 17th Giant to have his first career homer be a slam, and the first since Ford Proctor on Sept. 29, 2022. After walks of struggling regulars Willy Adames and Patrick Bailey loaded the bases, he unloaded on a low sinker, hitting it into the first row of seats in left. 

Koss has a .589 OPS, but he has shown a short, simple swing in his opportunities and he looks comfortable with runners in scoring position. That will all be remembered as the Giants sort through their infield in the coming weeks. 

Ray Day = Win Day

The Diamondbacks had a double and four singles in the first inning, taking an early 3-0 lead on a team that had scored exactly one run in three of the previous four games. But when Ray is pitching, the Giants always find a way. 

The slam gave Ray a lead, and after that, he slammed both feet on the gas pedal. The Diamondbacks got two runners on in the fourth and Ray went 3-0 on Corbin Carroll, who homered twice Monday, but he battled back to a full count and then blew a 95 mph fastball past the young star outfielder. With the tying run on first an inning later, he did the same to catcher Gabriel Moreno. 

Ray came out for the sixth and reached 100 pitches for the first time this season. He struck out nine, a season-high. 

Positive Steps

Adames has taken early BP each of the last two days to work on a smaller leg kick. LaMonte Wade Jr. was out of the lineup on Monday to get a full physical and mental breather. On Tuesday, the two veterans who are off to slow starts had reasons to feel like they’re headed in the right direction. 

Adames extended the lead with a two-run homer in the fifth, his fifth of the season, and later doubled off the top of the wall in right. Wade followed with a single to right that was his second in two at-bats; his first time up, he hit a long fly ball to Triples Alley that would have been a homer in five MLB parks.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Posted on

Gary Cohen joins the show, Citi Field is a scene, and the Mets are all about winning | The Mets Pod

On the latest episode of The Mets Pod presented by Tri-State Cadillac, SNY Mets play-by-play broadcaster Gary Cohen joins Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo to talk about the Mets' winning ways and the party atmosphere at Citi Field.

The crew covers crazy crowds in Queens, the sparkling starting rotation, Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuna, Francisco Lindor, and Gary reveals what it was like calling the Roku game with Joe Girardi and his favorite ballpark to call a game in outside of Citi Field.

Later, Connor and Joe look back at another successful week for the Mets, go Down on the Farm to chat about Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, Matt Allan, and other pitching prospects, and answer Mailbag questions about additional outfield options, potential Mets All-Stars, and pitching possibilities surrounding the MLB trade deadline.

Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Posted on

Where the Mavs' 2025 NBA Draft Lottery win ranks among the most unlikely ever

Where the Mavs' 2025 NBA Draft Lottery win ranks among the most unlikely ever originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The ping pong balls bounced the Dallas Mavericks’ way in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.

The Mavericks bolted to the top of the 2025 NBA Draft board thanks to one of the most unlikely draft lottery wins in event history.

Dallas, which was eliminated in the play-in tournament following a much-maligned midseason trade of Luka Doncic, entered the lottery with the 11th-best odds of landing the coveted No. 1 overall pick at 1.8%. The Mavs owned just 18 of the 1,001 possible four-digit combinations for the lottery drawing.

But one of them proved to be the winning combination for the top pick: 10-14-11-7.

The Mavericks became just the fourth team with less than 2% odds to win the No. 1 pick since the weighted lottery system debuted in 1990.

The biggest lottery miracle came back in 1993. After winning the Shaquille O’Neal sweepstakes with the second-best odds in the 1992 lottery, the Orlando Magic came into the 1993 event with the worst odds at 1.52%. But Orlando jumped from No. 11 to No. 1, becoming the first franchise to win consecutive lotteries. The Magic selected Chris Webber first overall in 1993 and then promptly traded him to the Golden State Warriors for No. 3 pick Penny Hardaway and several future first-rounders.

There are two teams that have won the lottery with 1.7% odds. The Chicago Bulls in 2008 went from ninth to first before selecting hometown prospect Derrick Rose. And one year after claiming the 2013 No. 1 pick with the third-best odds, the Cleveland Cavaliers went back-to-back in 2014 by winning it with the ninth-best odds. Cleveland then used No. 1 pick on Andrew Wiggins and dealt him less than two months later to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade for Kevin Love.

Here’s a full look at the most unlikely draft lottery wins of all time, according to RealGM, along with the players who were selected:

1. Orlando Magic, 1993: 1.52% — Chris Webber

T-2. Chicago Bulls, 2008: 1.7% — Derrick Rose

T-2. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2014: 1.7% — Andrew Wiggins

4. Dallas Mavericks, 2025: 1.8% — TBD

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Clippers), 2011: 2.8% — Kyrie Irving

6.Atlanta Hawks, 2024: 3% — Zaccharie Risacher

7. New Jersey Nets, 2000: 4.4% — Kenyon Martin

8. Portland Trail Blazers, 2007: 5.3% — Greg Oden

9. New Orleans Pelicans, 2019: 6% — Zion Williamson

10. Milwaukee Bucks, 2005: 6.3% — Andrew Bogut

11. Toronto Raptors, 2006: 8.8% — Andrea Bargnani

12. Houston Rockets, 2002: 8.9% — Yao Ming

13.Golden State Warriors 1995: 9.4% — Joe Smith

Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published in 2022.

Posted on

Watford appoint Paulo Pezzolano as 18th permanent manager since 2013

  • Former Valladolid manager is ‘the leader we need’
  • Hornets finished 14th in Championship this season

Watford have announced the appointment of Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach. The 42-year-old Uruguayan succeeds Tom Cleverley, who was sacked on 6 May following the Hornets’ disappointing 14th-place finish in the Championship.

Pezzolano becomes Watford’s 18th permanent manager since Gianfranco Zola left in December 2013.

Continue reading...
Posted on

MLB’s New After-Death Rule Makes Pete Rose, Black Sox HOF Eligible

Pete Rose was reinstated by Major League Baseball on Tuesday, commissioner Rob Manfred announced, along with anybody deceased who was on the permanently ineligible list of the sport.

That instantly makes Rose eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, an institution that has shunned him since he signed an agreement in 1989 to a lifetime ban with the ability to apply for reinstatement after one year for betting on baseball as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

Rose, along with Shoeless Joe Jackson and the other Black Sox players who were banned for betting on and throwing the 1919 World Series, will be now considered by the Hall’s Era Committees. Rose is MLB’s all-time leader with 4,256 hits.

“The National Baseball Hall of Fame has always maintained that anyone removed from baseball’s permanently ineligible list will become eligible for Hall of Fame consideration,” Hall chair Jane Forbes Clark said in a statement. “Major League Baseball’s decision to remove deceased individuals from the permanently ineligible list will allow for the Hall of Fame candidacy of such individuals to now be considered.”

The Classic Baseball Era Committee, which studies candidates whose impact on the game occurred prior to 1980, will now get to vote on some of these individuals when it meets again in December 2027. As always, a historical committee will select the eight names to appear on that ballot for consideration by a 16-member panel of Hall of Fame players and executives, historians and eligible members of the baseball writers’ association. As with any Hall vote, it takes 75% for a candidate to be elected.

The determination by Manfred came after Rose’s family asked for him to be reinstated and President Donald Trump weighed in positively on the issue. Manfred met with Trump at the White House last month.

In a letter to Jeffrey M. Lenkov, the attorney for Rose, Manfred said MLB’s policy will now be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the death of the disciplined individual, dating back to the ruling by MLB’s first commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis that banned the Black Sox. Rose was placed on the list on Aug. 23, 1989, by then-commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, who died only a week later.

Rose died from heart disease in Las Vegas this past Sept. 30 at the age of 83. Throughout his life, he petitioned MLB for reinstatement without success as he continued to bet on baseball. Manfred himself ruled against him, citing the integrity of the game as the main reason.

“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game,” Manfred wrote in the letter. “Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.” 

Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Posted on

Celtics' Jayson Tatum suffers ruptured Achilles tendon, has surgery, faces extensive recovery

It is the worst-case scenario for Boston, and what was feared from the moment Jayson Tatum collapsed to the floor, grabbing his ankle late in the Game 4 loss to the Knicks.

Tatum has a ruptured Achilles tendon and underwent surgery to repair it on Tuesday, the team announced.

Obviously, Tatum is out for the rest of these playoffs, and he will likely miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season as well.

The injury came with just 2:58 left in the fourth quarter. Tatum — who had a game-high 42 points and had driven Boston's offense most of the night — took a hard step to go after a loose ball, then collapsed to the ground with a non-contact injury, grabbing his ankle.

Everyone knew it was bad immediately.

"The fact that he had to be carried off… he's the type of guy that gets right up," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.

Tatum, a six-time All-Star, took a step forward this season, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6 assists a game, shooting 34.3% from 3. He is expected to finish fourth in MVP voting and make First Team All-NBA. He was at the heart of the Celtics' 2024 NBA title, then joined USA Basketball last summer to win gold at the Paris Olympics.

Tatum's injury also brings some of the salary cap challenges the Celtics face into focus.

Boston has $227.8 million in salary on the books for next season, a number that is already $20 million over the dreaded second apron with five roster spots to fill, plus dealing with potential free agents Al Horford and Luke Kornet. There was already speculation heading into this summer that the Celtics would have to lose a rotation player to keep their payroll within reason, but if this team struggles without Tatum next season and looks middle of the pack in the East, might they move on from a player like Derrick White at $28 million? Or Kristaps Porzingis at $31 million?

Posted on

Jets Attempt To Tie Series In Game 4 Against Stars

Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund (64) and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) and defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Winnipeg Jets currently trail their second-round series to the Dallas Stars, 2-1 and are looking to regain home-ice advantage with a win in Game 4. 

The Jets were once again defeated on the road in Game 3. They imploded in the third period, allowing five goals for the fourth consecutive road playoff game. The game brought its own bit of controversy, but ultimately, the Jets did not do enough to warrant a victory. 

Tonight, things will become increasingly difficult. The Stars will welcome Miro Heiskanen back into their lineup and have elected to run 11 forwards and seven defensemen. It'll be Heiskanen's first game since Jan. 28 after suffering a lower-body injury. 

Despite his absence, the Stars have still won a plethora of hockey games and are in a great spot. While he was gone, the Stars ranked 31st in the NHL in 5-on-5 shots and expected goals against. They rank second and third-worst respectively by those metrics in the playoffs. His addition will help sure up their backend.

It's been a struggle for Connor Hellebuyck on the road, but also for Mark Scheifele. When away from the Canada Life Centre, HC Scott Arniel can't move Scheifele away from the opponent's top defensive line because he doesn't have last change. The only opportunity for him to provide Scheifele with a matchup advantage is on icing calls. In three road games, the 32-year-old is yet to record a point. 

Despite that, the Jets need more from their 39 regular-season goal scorer. 

The Jets have received inconsistent play from each line throughout the playoffs, but they still remain just one game shy of tying the series. If they are provided with consistency in their middle six, the top line should be able to feed off of it and cause damage offensively. 

The difference between heading back to Winnipeg tied, or trailing 3-1, is extreme, and the Jets need to play with a level of urgency that shows that.  

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Line Combinations: Game 4 - Winnipeg Jets at Dallas StarsLine Combinations: Game 4 - Winnipeg Jets at Dallas StarsThe Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars are set to do battle from Texas in Game 4 of the second round playoff series that currently sees the Stars up 2-1.
Posted on

Will The Ottawa Senators Sign Shane Pinto To An Extension This Summer?

Shane Pinto is eligible for a contract extension this summer. As with every deal, the Ottawa Senators would like to be sure they're getting what they pay for.

But identifying the height of Pinto's ceiling as an NHL player isn't an easy task. On one hand, he's been an NHL regular for four seasons. On the other, between injury and suspension, he's missed 118 of a possible 328 games.

Bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa and never miss the latest Senators news, interviews, columns, features and more. 

If the Senators believe Pinto has already reached his full NHL potential as a classic third-line defensive center who can chip in with secondary offense, then there's really no rush to get something done. Pinto already makes $3.7 million, which is at least in the vicinity of fair market value for a player like that.

But if the Senators think he can and will be more than that in the future, then it's in their best interest to buy low right now and get an extension done long-term.

At the moment, the Senators believe they're set at centre with Tim Stützle and Dylan Cozens anchoring the top two lines.

But Pinto is the perfect plan B if Cozens isn’t what they hope he'll be. And that’s not based on random negative thinking. That’s based on the long-suffering Buffalo Sabres watching Cozens for four and a half seasons and then being willing to trade the 24-year-old for Josh Norris, one of the most injury-prone (and well-paid) players in Senators history.

Cozens will get every chance to fully establish himself in the number two slot next season, primarily because he has five years and $35.5 million left on his contract. Cozens has done some nice things in his early days as a Senator and finished the year with 16 points in 21 games.

But he also had some stretches where he wasn't noticeable, and the defensive side of his game was hit and miss. Some of that can be blamed on coming to a new team and a lack of familiarity with the system, but it's already easy to see he's not quite in Pinto's class on the defensive side of the puck.

Offensively, at least in the past couple of years, there hasn't been much to separate them. Cozens finished with 47 points for a second straight year. Meanwhile, despite missing 12 games, Pinto finished with 37 points—just 10 shy of Cozens. Cozens also had the advantage of over 200 power-play minutes, 122 more than Pinto.

When asked about his power play minutes, Pinto didn’t deny he'd like to see more action.

"I'm a competitive guy," Pinto said. "I don't think you get here without wanting to be the best. Obviously, I want to be on the power play, but yeah, that's out of my control. I think that's the thing I learned—sometimes you can't control some of the things that happen to you.

"At first I was a little bit bummed, but I had to play a different role for our team to win, and I tried to embrace that. Hopefully, in the future, they see me as a little bit more of an offensive guy. But like I said, I got put into a role this year where I tried to do my best to embrace it. It's going to be a new year next year, and we'll kind of see where it goes."

If all things were equal (spoiler: they're not), Pinto might enter training camp in September with a chance to battle Cozens for the number two role. For now, he's the plan B and provides excellent depth in the event of injury. And there's likely to be a premium that needs to be paid for that. The Senators now have to figure out what that’s worth, and whether an extension can wait or not.

As for Pinto, he's all for considering something long-term.

"Yeah, obviously, I love being here, love the boys. We're building something special. And I wouldn't be opposed to staying here for a long time."

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

Bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa and never miss the latest Senators news, interviews, columns, features and more. 

Posted on

REPORT: Ex-Avs Adam Foote Now Finalist For Coaching Position

Adam Foote (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

‘Tis the season

While the big dogs play in the playoffs, everyone else has the opportunity to tweak their lineup and organization.

The Colorado Avalanche are doing that by letting go of Ray Bennett. The (now) former Avalanche assistant coach was in charge of running the team’s powerplay.

Bookmark The Hockey News Colorado Avalanche team site so you never miss the latest news, game day coverage, and information on the Avalanche players.

The Vancouver Canucks parted ways with Rick Tocchet earlier in their offseason. Now, several reports indicate two frontrunners for the vacant position.

Trending Avalanche Stories

Ex-Avalanche Goalie Sticking With His New TeamEx-Avalanche Goalie Sticking With His New TeamMany things happen in the summertime.

New Team Canada Lines With Avs Nathan MacKinnon

Why Avalanche's Blackwood Is One Of The Best

Avalanche Star Is Recruiting Crosby According To Insider

Ex-Avalanche Coach Joel Quenneville Returning To NHL

Avs Eye-Opening Trade Makes Even Less Sense NowAvs Eye-Opening Trade Makes Even Less Sense NowHindsight is 20/20.

Manny Malhotra and Adam Foote are the two candidates still in the running for the head coaching position. Malhotra has been an NHL assistant coach for both the Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. This season, he was the head coach for the Canucks AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.

On the other hand, Foote is a former Avalanche defender who was on staff with Tocchet. Before that, he coached in the WHL as the head coach for the Kelowna Rockets.

According to one of these reports, Malhotra is the Canucks' "slight favorite." However, the team has not announced anything at the time of this writing.

The fluidity of these situations is not surprising. Much thought needs to be given to the individual tasked with running your team, and management must take extreme care in choosing the right individual.

Both candidates make sense for different (but similar) reasons. Malhotra is familiar with the AHL team and has more experience as a coach, while Foote is more familiar with the players' strengths and weaknesses with the NHL team.

Nevertheless, this story will be interesting to follow, especially for long-time Avalanche fans.

Add us to your Google News favorites and never miss a story.