Report: Sens explore moving Brannstrom to clear cap space

Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion is exploring ways to clear cap space with restricted free agent Shane Pinto still unsigned.

In addition to forward Mathieu Joseph, whom the team has had discussions about moving in recent weeks, the Senators have held talks involving defenseman Erik Brannstrom.

"(Dorion) is trying to move Mathieu Joseph. He has had (conversations) about moving Erik Brannstrom," TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading."

Brannstrom, 24, tallied 18 points in 74 contests last season. He's played all 191 games of his career with the Senators since being acquired prior to the 2019 trade deadline in the deal that sent Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Swede signed a one-year contract worth $2 million this summer and will be an RFA after the campaign.

Ottawa has just $62,620 of cap space, according to CapFriendly. Pinto was reportedly upset with a low one-year offer in September and is seeking around $2.5 million.