Sens Lock In Shane Pinto — But Only After Turning Down Different Deal

The Ottawa Senators finally got their deal done with Shane Pinto on Thursday, signing the 25-year-old centre to a four-year extension carrying a $7.5 million AAV. It’s a significant contract, one that buys two of Pinto’s UFA years and includes a 10-team no-trade clause in the final seasons. Interestingly, the contract came only after the 25-year-old centre turned down an eight-year offer, according to The Athletic.

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The deal keep Pinto on the roster for the next four seasons, which is a win. He aligns with Brady Tkachuk (2028), Tim Stützle (2031), and Jake Sanderson (2032), who are all tied up deep into the decade.

And make no mistake, Pinto has earned his place in that core. He’s off to a solid start this season with eight goals and 14 points in 17 games. He’s also become Ottawa’s most versatile centre — second on the team in average ice time behind Stützle, trusted against top lines, killing penalties, and even contributing on the power play. He’s producing like a top-six centre and being deployed like one, which is exactly why a $7.5 million price tag doesn’t look like an overpay in a rising cap world.

Pinto Had Another Deal on the Table

What makes this deal more interesting is what didn’t happen. Pinto was offered eight years — a long-term security play that would’ve tied him to Ottawa through his prime. Instead, both sides opted for four. That choice keeps Pinto in line with some of the core’s top guys, while still allowing him another big payday at age 29. It’s calculated. It’s strategic. And it signals that the player and the team may both have plans in 2030 that may or may not include each other.

“Shane is an important part of our core and we are pleased to have him with us for the foreseeable future,” GM Steve Staios said. “This is a great opportunity for this group to grow together.” The comments signal that both sides were fine with seeing what more is in his game before digging deep on an eight-year deal.

If Ottawa was pushing for max term, it means the organization saw Pinto as a cost-controlled pillar well into the next decade. Pinto choosing four years signals something different: confidence. He believes his game has another level, and he wasn’t willing to lock in eight prime years at a number that likely would’ve aged favorably for the team, not the player.

This deal buys Ottawa two UFA seasons and gives them cap clarity as the window to contend continues forming.

Ottawa still gets the player they believe in. Pinto still gets the term and respect he wanted — just not the eight-year version the team had hoped to secure. Pinto bet on himself. And that’s the real story behind this extension: the Senators didn’t just sign a core piece today. They signed a core piece who believes he’s worth even more down the road.

Pinto’s signing sets a timeline to get the most out of him at a price that works. If he keeps producing and improving his game, he’ll have a lot more options as he hits unrestricted free agency.

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