The Ottawa Senators are off to an up-and-down start this season. They’re coming off a tough 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 28. It snapped their three-game winning streak. Previously, they were on a roll with a 7-2 win over the Boston Bruins and a 7-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Senators now sit at 5-5-1.
Last year, Ottawa made it to the playoffs by grabbing the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. But their run ended in six games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. A season later, one star could make or break their playoff aspirations.
What Will Shane Pinto’s Next Contract Be With the Ottawa Senators?
Shane Pinto’s future is one of the most interesting storylines for Ottawa right now. He’s in the final year of his two-year, $7.5 million contract and is off to a great start this season.
NHL insider Marco D’Amico recently compared Pinto’s situation to Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley’s massive eight-year, $80 million contract extension.
“The market was already about there prior to Cooley signing, since he turned down 8 X 9.6M.” D’Amico explained. “That being said, Pinto is older and has more UFA years to parlay, so that negotiation should be fun nonetheless.”
Pinto has started strong, putting up eight goals and two assists in 11 games after recording 37 points in 70 games last season.
D’Amico pointed out that the pressure is also on Pinto to maintain his scoring pace. He explained that Cooley has shown consistent growth in his offensive output, whereas Pinto looks like a statistical “outlier” for now.
When asked what Pinto’s next deal could look like, D’Amico said: “If Pinto is still at a PPG pace come Xmas, it could very well be in that range or slightly lower on an eight-year deal.”
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Pinto opened the season hot with the Senators, with back-to-back two-goal games against the Lightning and Panthers, then followed that up with three straight one-goal outings after a quiet game against the Nashville Predators.
D’Amico said that he isn’t necessarily expecting the deal to land at $8 million, but noted that Pinto has considerable leverage. He’s arbitration- and offer sheet-eligible, two years away from unrestricted free agency, playing a premium position, and currently scoring at an elite rate. If he can prove this surge isn’t a fluke, he’s going to be paid handsomely.
In short, Pinto’s next contract will heavily depend on whether he can sustain this pace; if he does, expect Ottawa to open its checkbook. Given what his emergence could mean for the team’s competitive window, that’s a deal the front office will be happy to sign.
Next up, Pinto and the Senators will face the Calgary Flames on Oct. 30.
