Pinto & Senators Closing In On Big Extension

The Ottawa Senators have seemingly confirmed that they are signing Shane Pinto to a multi-year contract extension that kicks in next season.

Elliotte Friedman reported, "After months of negotiations, Ottawa and Shane Pinto are in agreement. closing in on a four-year, $7.5 million AAV extension." The insider also added, "Buys two unrestricted free agent seasons, and everyone involved peace of mind. Both sides badly wanted to get something done."

Pinto signed a solid two-year bridge deal in 2024 at $3.75 million AAV, but is vastly outplaying that this season after 21 goals and 37 points in 70 games last season. The young center may technically be the third line center, but is playing 19:23 per game, just short of Tim Stutzle for the lead amongst forwards, and is the only forward on the team that plays over two minutes on the power play and penalty kill.

Pinto is tied for the team lead in goals with eight and is third on the team in points with 14 despite not being on the top power play. His AAV more than doubles for the next four years, which looks like a good deal considering his impact this season. Pinto is just 25 years old and will be a UFA in 2030, but the Senators have him locked in through the early part of his prime years.

Pinto will become the third-highest paid forward and sixth-highest paid player on the team behind Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and Linus Ullmark. The Senators have done an excellent job at keeping all of the top talent under double-digit AAVs, which just means that they can continue to add or keep players around like they have done with Pinto as the cap also rises.