NHL Rumors: Senators Could Go Short-Term With Shane Pinto
After offering the 25-year-old center an eight-year extension, the Ottawa Senators are now widely viewed as open to a Shane Pinto short-term deal that preserves cap agility and keeps their room dynamics intact.
Pinto is scorching to start the season and his leverage is growing, but Ottawa’s stacked salary chart suggests a bridge makes sense.
Shane Pinto is betting on himself and has came out FLYING to start the season on a contract year 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jVqe9F3dJr
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) October 23, 2025
Why a short term fits Ottawa now
Pinto still has team control before unrestricted free agency, and the cap is expected to keep rising. A two or three-year bridge would secure a key matchup center through his prime runway, maintain internal pecking order, and buy time before committing UFA-priced seasons.
SHANE PINTO AGAIN! 🙌
— NHL (@NHL) October 18, 2025
He's got seven goals in six games this season! pic.twitter.com/VKplylEj4A
Why it can work for Pinto too
Pinto kills penalties, takes hard minutes, and finishes at a 20-plus goal pace. A bridge at a strong AAV lets him cash in again with better comparables and larger cap room.
If his scoring surge holds while he keeps driving play, his next negotiation arrives with even more leverage.
Ottawa would get certainty today without overextending. Pinto gets upside tomorrow without sacrificing his present value.
Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
