Insider: Certain Pinto Contract Could Upset Other Senators Players

With Ottawa’s young stars and top players commanding top salaries, Shane Pinto’s next deal may need a bridge-style approach to fit under the team’s cap structure.

According to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, while Pinto is a talented and versatile forward, the Senators are struggling with trying to find a long-term contract fit that doesn’t surpass the salaries of their top young players.

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Friedman highlighted the depth of Ottawa’s roster, noting that players like Thomas Chabot, Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, Linus Ullmark, and Drake Batherson already carry higher salaires in the $8 million range per season. “Everybody knows that guy is a really talented player, but let’s look at the Senators…how many guys do you name before you get to Pinto?” Friedman asked.

Given the fact that these two sides might not be able to find common ground, Friedman suggested that a shorter-term deal could be an attractive option for both sides.

A bridge contract would allow Pinto to continue developing and working his way up the salary chart. If he has several seasons of big production, the rest of the locker room won’t take issue with him commanding a higher salary. Meanwhile, the extra time before giving him a monster long-term extension buys the Senators space to manage their cap and other top-tier contracts.

“I just don’t know that you’re going to be able to [keep it under the top salaries] unless you go short term,” he added.

Pinto Likely OK with a Short-Term Deal

Friedman suggested that Pinto wouldn’t be closed off to a deal that is shorter in term. While the long-term security would be nice, if he’s willing to bet on himself, that bet could pay off handsomely. A short-term contract could potentially take him to UFA status, and as the salary cap rises exponentially. In two or three seasons, the market alone will force the Senators to pay Pinto a lot more money than if he were to take a team-friendly deal now.

This is a somewhat tricky situation for Ottawa. They would like to keep the player, but don’t want to overpay him or disrupt the chemistry in the locker room. If a long-term option is the only option, Friedman wonders if the Sens go the same route as the Winnipeg Jets did when they signed Kyle Connor — which was to ask the rest of the top players if they were OK with signing a player to a deal much bigger than their own. The Jets were good with it. Will the Senators’ top players be as well?

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