Ottawa Senators' 23-year-old rising star destined to take big step this season

The Ottawa Senators have potential on their roster to turn the tables next season and catch fans by surprise. Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, and Claud Giroux provide good offensive talent, and trading for former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark gives a great chance for the Senators to win more games.

NHL teams need young talent to rise to the occasion and become an offensive threat. Despite having two 70-point scorers, and 60-point scorers, the Senators didn't have another player on their team with 50 points last season. With Mathieu Joseph now part of the St. Louis Blues, the Senators seek another offensive threat.

Last season, the Senators may have found their next big offensive threat. He's just 23 years old, and he only played half the season, but he showed excellent potential to be an offensive threat.

Shane Pinto destined to take big step this season

Last season, the Senators were dealt a blow when Shane Pinto was suspended for the first 41 games for gambling. When Pinto returned, he had a strong stellar season.

Pinto finished with the 11th most points on the team with 27, and the third highest +/- rating on the team of +9. All that production despite not playing for half the season is crucial for the Senators because an x-factor is needed in order to have a successful season. Pinto has shown huge progression with Ottawa.

Pinto had a rough rookie season in 2022-23, recording 35 points in a full 82-game season. Had Pinto not been suspended, the chances of recording more points would've been higher, and Ottawa needs point production.

Outside of Tkachuk and Stutzle's 70-point seasons and Batherson and Giroux's 60-point seasons last season, no Senator recorded 50 points. Pinto is poised to break out and show his full potential, and Ottawa's players can help him succeed.

Pinto showed potential by having six multi-point games, including a four-point game against the Buffalo Sabres on March 27, 2024. Pinto is also good at taking face-offs and can earn extra playing time.

The Senators need more young players to take a bigger role this upcoming season, and Pinto has earned the trust of the Senators after serving his suspension. If Pinto gets good ice time from new Head coach Travis Green, Pinto's game will excel. It wasn't long ago that Pinto was the first pick of the second round in the 2019 NHL Draft, so the potential is still there for him, and this season is a perfect chance to show that potential.