Are the Senators About to Buy High on a Shane Pinto Extension?

Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Ottawa Senators have put an offer on the table for Shane Pinto. It’s an eight-year deal, although numbers were not disclosed.

He explained during the Saturday Headlines report:

“The NHL leader in goals, he is red hot to start the year. There’s been a lot of talk locally about his future. His contract is up after this year, though he has two more years before he’s an unrestricted free agent. But, hearing this week, the Senators put an 8-year offer on the table for Pinto. Now I’m not saying anything is imminent, and I don’t necessarily think anything is close, but what I do believe is the Senators wanted to show that they are serious about putting a stake in the ground to keep him.”

Pinto is a pending RFA coming off a two-year, $3.75-million contract.

Things have certainly changed in Ottawa when it comes to Pinto.

Back in July of 2024, the Senators secured the forward to a two-year, $7.5 million contract, with a $3.75 million average annual value (AAV). There were some hiccups trying to get that deal done, as he had come off serving a half-season suspension for gambling violations, and the Senators were playing hardball on a new deal.

Just over a year later, the Senators are looking to keep Pinto locked in for the long term. He scored 21 goals last season and is off to a great start this season. Intriguingly, the Senators appear to be rushing into a deal. Pinto has never scored more than 21 goals in a season and his red-hot streak might be temporary.

Are the Senators About to Buy High on Shane Pinto?

So too, as a restricted free agent, the Senators have some cost control over their situation. Perhaps the feeling is that by offering him an early deal, Pinto will be more inclined to sign a long-term deal at a fair AAV. If the idea is that he should lock in while the getting is good, he might be just as intent on securing his future with a lucrative contract before the numbers turn.

The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reports that Pinto’s performance this season could raise the cost of re-signing him. He became the first player in franchise history to score six goals in the first five games of a season. It seems like an odd time to be putting an offer on the table. This would be the Senators potentially buying high.

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