After the Senators announced that defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker has signed an entry-level contract, there are reports circulating that teammate and Hobey Baker finalist, Shane Pinto, is close to reaching an agreement with the team as well.
And in the process of writing this, not only did Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirm that the Senators have actually signed Pinto, the organization issued an official press release shortly thereafter.
It is an exceptional piece of news considering that earlier today, there was some consternation in the fan base after Tim Hennessy, UND’s longtime play-by-play guy, indicated in an interview that it was his understanding that Pinto was likely to return for his junior season at UND.
In scoring 15 goals and 32 points in 28 games during his sophomore seasons, Pinto collected a ton of accolades and hardware for his efforts. He was named the NCHC ‘Player of the Year’, the NCHC’s ‘Forward of the Year’, the NCHC’s ‘Best Defensive Forward’ and was named as a conference First-Team All-Star. The University of North Dakota not only won the Penrose Cup for being the NCHC’s regular season champion, but they won the NCHC championship as well. Recently, Pinto was also named as one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award which is awarded to the NCAA’s ‘Top Collegiate Player’.
That is one hell of a season, so it is easy to understand why many would have questioned Pinto’s intent to return to school when he has already enjoyed so much team and individual success. Aside from an NCAA Frozen Four championship, there is really nothing left for him to prove at that level. At the same time however, I think it is important to recognize the human element to this decision. Committing to a collegiate program is a pretty big deal and for the better part of Pinto’s academic career, he has not really had the opportunity to enjoy the normalcy of the student-athlete life.
I would not have blamed him had he wanted to go back for that experience and had he returned for a junior year, it would not have been the end of the world. Every year, it seems like there is a lot of handwringing over things offer sheets or prospects returning to school to complete their collegiate career and test unrestricted free agency once their draft rights expire. Thankfully with Pinto signing, we no longer have to go down that road of fearmongering.
According to the press releases for Bernard-Docker and Pinto, both players will begin (silver) seven-day quarantines before they will join the Senators. It certainly seems like both players will be given the opportunity to play with the parent club right away and should they, both will burn the first years of their respective entry-level deals.
While Pinto has garnered most of the attention this season for his performance, Bernard-Docker has a real chance to step into the lineup and make an impact right away. The NCHC’s 2021 ‘Best Defensive Defenceman’ and Second-Team All-Star should have an opportunity to step into Ottawa’s lineup and play. Unlike the centre position where the Senators have a bunch of depth — Colin White, Chris Tierney, Nick Paul, and Josh Norris — the right side of Ottawa’s defence is probably the weakest position on the roster.
Artyom Zub has had an unbelievable rookie season that has bolstered the Senators’ second pairing, but Erik Gudbranson and Nikita Zaitsev have underwhelmed. The latter got off to a hot start and even put up some points early on thanks to a number of assists on deflected goals, but his play on the first pairing with Thomas Chabot has waned. To the extent that it may even open the door for Bernard-Docker to step right into the lineup beside Ottawa’s best two-way defenceman.
Adding fresh young faces to the organization is always exciting. It’s easy to anticipate their debuts in a week’s time, but that enthusiasm grows exponentially when you recognize just how important these prospects can be.
For over 15 years, Ottawa’s blue line has been the team’s Achilles heel and it has been a struggle for management to identify good defensive talent. During the Erik Karlsson era, management simply had a hard time supporting him with a competent cast and now with Thomas Chabot, those concerns are very real too. Bernard-Docker’s ascension to the parent roster is really intriguing, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on him right away. It’s going to take time for him to adjust, but it’s going to take even longer for him to thrive. In saying that however, it is impossible not to get excited about what his presence can help do to buoy a defensive corps that simply hasn’t been good in a very long time.
Embrace these kids, Ottawa.
You haaaaaad to get your Zaitsev dig in eh!! Lol.
I’m liking the pod and writing brother, keep it up.