After New Coach Signing, Shane Pinto Needs to Be Senators’ Top Focus!

After New Coach Signing, Shane Pinto Needs to Be Senators’ Top Focus!

This section previously discussed ideas for freeing up cap room for the Ottawa Senators, who must sign Shane Pinto to a contract extension. General Manager Steve Staios and his hockey operations staff presently have $12.165 million in cap space set aside for the 2024-25 season. However, while it appears that the Senators’ general manager has plenty of freedom to manoeuvre this summer, Staios must be inventive. With less than four weeks left until the NHL Entry Draft and free agency period, signing pending restricted free agent Shane Pinto is critical.

The club needs to acquire a better sense of how much cap room they actually have as the winter gets busier. The anticipated signing of Pinto, as well as another upcoming RFA forward, Parker Kelly, will likely consume five to six million of the $12.1 million currently available. It may appear to be splitting hairs, but a one-million-dollar difference may result in the Senators missing out on a key free agent target. Of course, there are buyout and trade options, which might render this all irrelevant, but it’s that tight.

At the Senators’ season-ending media appearance, Pinto indicated his preference for getting a deal done earlier rather than later. “Yeah, you know, I have mentioned it before. I want to be here. You know, I adore the boys. I enjoy the community. I adore the organisation. So, you know, it is between my agency and the organisation, and we will see what happens. I mean, it’s tough. You’ve got to find a middle ground. Hopefully, we’ll figure it out soon.”
Almost seven weeks later, the 23-year-old’s position remains unclear. According to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, negotiations between the Senators and Pinto’s agent, Lewis Gross, “still have a wide gap on a five-or-six-year contract to bridge,” with Pinto’s side seeking a deal in the $5 million area. The Long Island resident’s contribution to the squad is immense. Only his teammate Claude Giroux can equal his ability to play a 200-foot game while also contributing offensively. Pinto plays in all circumstances, including special teams, whether he’s on the ice in the last moments to protect a lead or assisting his team in getting back into a game.
Not to mention rising to the moment, successfully replacing Josh Norris on the Senators’ depth chart when the team’s top pivot underwent shoulder surgery. After serving a 41-game suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy, Pinto returned to the lineup and recorded nine goals and 18 assists in 41 games, followed by two goals and seven assists in eight games for the United States at the IIHF World Championship. While there is still a long way to go before training camp in September, Senators management cannot afford to not have Pinto ready to start the season in Ottawa, especially if Norris’ shoulder is not fully healed for action.