Shane Pinto was the first selection of the second round in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. By 2023, Pinto turned into a reliable player on the Senators roster.
Last season, Pinto delivered with the best season of his career and helped the Senators make the 2025 playoffs. After the playoffs, Pinto grew his game more when he played for Team USA in the IIHF World Championships. Pinto has quickly emerged as a fan favorite in Ottawa.
The upcoming 2025-26 season is Pinto's final year of his contract. Less than a week ago, the Senators confirmed there won't be an extension for Pinto until after the season starts, but there is something that the Senators shouldn't consider doing with Pinto if the season turns into a struggling one.
Senators shouldn't consider trading Pinto if 2025-26 season is a struggling one
Although the Senators made the 2025 playoffs, it's always a possibility to not make the playoffs the following year. If the Senators are out of playoff contention this upcoming season by the trade deadline, Pinto is a player that could seek interest in from teams to trade for.
If the Senators are going to be sellers at the trade deadline if the season is a struggling one, Pinto is one player the team shouldn't consider trading away. Pinto is destined for his potential to grow more after last season's success.
Last season, Pinto recorded career highs with 21 goals and 37 points in 70 games played. This season is Pinto's final year of his restricted contract at $3.75 million. Pinto will turn 25 years old on Nov. 12.
With the age he's at and his game growing more, Pinto could be viewed at by other teams as a solid piece to add at not only the trade deadline, but also for a team's future. It has been seen before when a rising player with a franchise is traded away at the trade deadline on the final year of his restricted contract.
For example, this past March, the Senators traded for Fabian Zetterlund from the San Jose Sharks. Zetterlund was a rising player on a bad Sharks team, but the Sharks traded him away to Ottawa at the trade deadline. This off-season, Zetterlund then signed a three-year contract extension to remain a Senator. At 26 years old, Zetterlund is destined to grow more in his first full season with the Senators.
It's important for the Senators to not trade away a potential rising star to another team even if a potential trade offer is a solid one. If the Senators were to consider trading Pinto, the asking price can be a high one, and rightfully so.
Pinto will be destined to deliver another big season in 2025-26. If his game grows, more playing time could be on the horizon for Pinto from head coach Travis Green.