Sens Writer: Shane Pinto suspended 41 games for activities related to sports gambling

Excellent work setting up a new blog for this.

We pretty much discussed a lot of this on the other one.

But, I mentioned the curious timing of this to a colleague and was met with...."maybe this is a suspension to get everyone's attention" They picked a young restricted guy not under contract and smacked him in the mouth with a 41 gamer. How many other NHL'ers just deleted their sports gambling accounts?

I mean....Betway is an official partner of the nhl .....

I mean....Betway is an official partner of the nhl .....
- Alexzanki

100%... I'm actually stunned at the extent to which gambling sites have been permitted to directly infiltrate sports leagues. It's like something from that alternate 1985 in Back To The Future II when Biff Tannen is running everything like a depraved 1960's gangster.

While this is shocking given the state of Pinto’s contract, or lack thereof, this was only a matter of time before a current player got in trouble with betting. The ease of sports betting now is extremely dangerous. How we see commercials and sponsored gambling segments on TV is beyond me. Not only that alone, but the volume is borderline shocking.

Pinto was a very easy target given the contract situation. I am sure he is not alone. Would be very worrying if we see more players guilty and ultimately find out teams are throwing games.

These gambling apps and sites need harder rules and regulations, especially when advertising to young people.

I may be wrong but if pinto signed for 1 mill when he is eligible to play again. That 1 mil gets spread over 41 games. So they would still be in cap problem then too

It would be naive to think, there isnt some shadowy moves being made by a active player or 2. When theres tons of money moving around it will happen by choice or outside influence.. I doubt its more then a hand count of potentialness.

Not just the NHL. All sports will come to regret allowing gambling to influence their sports. Gambling is never about the sport. It is about the risk and the money.

Gamblers have an unquenchable desire to maximize risk and then profit off of their risk. They cannot prevent themselves from pushing the risk and winnings higher and higher.

Eventually, you can count on the gambler to ruin whatever they can control.

the nhl reaction to everything blame someone!! you bring gambling into every f***ing aspect of the game, and now you want to slap someone, watch highlights its all gambling lines, watch in between periods its all about how to bet on the game every play.
Maybe Pinto should be taking his employer to court for 100 million for forcing gambling into every aspect of the game and thus causing his addiction, hmm maybe then no more bet 365 crap!!!

the nhl reaction to everything blame someone!! you bring gambling into every f***ing aspect of the game, and now you want to slap someone, watch highlights its all gambling lines, watch in between periods its all about how to bet on the game every play.
Maybe Pinto should be taking his employer to court for 100 million for forcing gambling into every aspect of the game and thus causing his addiction, hmm maybe then no more bet 365 crap!!!
- monkman1967

1000% agree.

This betting stuff and then to suspend a player for it, that's crap

100%... I'm actually stunned at the extent to which gambling sites have been permitted to directly infiltrate sports leagues. It's like something from that alternate 1985 in Back To The Future II when Biff Tannen is running everything like a depraved 1960's gangster.
- khawk

This , and it's sickening, gambling can hurt and ruin someone's life , the CRTC (or provincial consumer commissions) and FCC need to put a time cap or limit on how much betting commercials can be aired on tv. And just like in F1, when cigarette brands used to be on cars actively advertising them, perhaps it's time to tone down the in arena advertisements , kids also watch hockey games.

Anyone else see the rumors the Dadonov debacle may be coming back, and the Sens could be punished with the forfeit of picks?

If he wants to make a buck this year, he'd better sign and fast. Those 41 games start when he's on an active roster.

Lebrun's report said that it's retroactive. Starts from Sens 1st game of the season.

If he wants to make a buck this year, he'd better sign and fast. Those 41 games start when he's on an active roster.
- jmatchett383

That quite directly contradicts what had been reported by multiple sources earlier today - is there a confirmed source?

People saying the right things across the board...

"I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa, and, most importantly, my family," Pinto wrote in a statement. "I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team."

The NHL began investigating Pinto's actions during the summer, but that process ramped up over the past few weeks and his contract negotiations were put on hold while the league conducted a recent hearing, Friedman added.

The Senators said the hearing concluded Wednesday when "additional information was made available to the club."

"Shane is a valued member of our hockey club; an engaging, intelligent young man who made poor decisions that have resulted in a suspension by the National Hockey League," the organization stated. "We know he is remorseful for his mistakes.

"The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL's rules on gambling. While saddened to learn of this issue, the entire organization remains committed to Shane and will work together to do what is necessary to help provide the support to allow him to address his issues and become a strong contributor to our community. When the time is right and with the league's blessing, we will welcome him back to the organization and embrace him as one of our own."

That quite directly contradicts what had been reported by multiple sources earlier today - is there a confirmed source?
- khawk

Well how can they suspend him for games if he doesn't have a valid NHL contract to play in them?

Well how can they suspend him for games if he doesn't have a valid NHL contract to play in them?
- jmatchett383

I'm not a player agent, so I don't know the details - but everything that's been reported so far appears to be implying that it will be retroactive. May have something to do with owning his RFA rights.

If he wants to make a buck this year, he'd better sign and fast. Those 41 games start when he's on an active roster.
- jmatchett383

Nope. Starts from beginning of season so he has already sat out 6 games of the 41.


As for gambling .... everybody needs to hold the horses. It does not appear that Pinto was gambling himself.

Well how can they suspend him for games if he doesn't have a valid NHL contract to play in them?
- jmatchett383

Only the NHL and Bettman could make a simple thing super complex and not make sense.

Literally the whole point of a suspension is to punish the player with games they can not play while forfeiting the money they would of earned. If the suspension is based off the games the team plays that means it's meant for the team, not the player.

Does that mean when he signs his next contract he forfeits the money the next 41 games he plays? If there is no forfeiting of money then there is no punishment, it actually helps the team and player more.

This logic is about as sound as a company suspending a person who doesn't work there..."We won't hire you for 3 months!"..."Ok, I will go work somewhere else, thanks."

Does that mean Pinto could technically sign overseas with an out clause until Ottawa plays it's 41st game?

Only the NHL and Bettman could make a simple thing super complex and not make sense.

Literally the whole point of a suspension is to punish the player with games they can not play while forfeiting the money they would of earned. If the suspension is based off the games the team plays that means it's meant for the team, not the player.

Does that mean when he signs his next contract he forfeits the money the next 41 games he plays? If there is no forfeiting of money then there is no punishment, it actually helps the team and player more.

This logic is about as sound as a company suspending a person who doesn't work there..."We won't hire you for 3 months!"..."Ok, I will go work somewhere else, thanks."
- Glak18

I don't think so. From comments it appears that the suspension begins from game 1 of the season and ends at game 41. He can play game 42 (Philadelphia).

My assumption (but I am not certain), it has been set up to allow Pinto to retroactively sign a one year deal covering 82 games of which the first 41 games are suspended without pay.

So, does it mean the Sens will only need in the range of $475k of cap space to cover the final 41 games?

pretty certain the NHLs rules on sports gambling that included non NHL games is illegal and unconstitutional in both the USA and canada and if challenged in a court would be ruled so. it would be like Ford banning its employees from buying any car but a ford.

Does that mean Pinto could technically sign overseas with an out clause until Ottawa plays it's 41st game?
- Glak18

interesting

FINALLY ... DJ puts Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson together

DJ Smith will be fired before Dec
Dorion could be fired before the end of the season but is probably next summer
Dominik Kubalik sucks
Brannstrom is playing well..... if only he could grow to a 6'2 dman with size
Sens should trade their firsts next year - JBD and Thomson were waste of picks.... just like Tyler Boucher will be

Hope Branny is okay. Scary looking. Just too small....