At the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators held the first pick of the second round in the draft. With the 32nd overall pick, the Senators selected Shane Pinto.
Since being drafted, Pinto has become a fan favorite in Ottawa. In the 2024-25 season, Pinto recorded the best season of his career to help the Senators make the 2025 playoffs. One of Pinto's top moments from 2025 came from when he scored a shorthanded goal in Game 4 of the Senators' first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As of now, Pinto will be set to become a restricted free agent after 2026. Pinto has a $3.75 million cap hit for the 2025-26 season. With being due for a contract extension, it's never too early to project a new contract extension for Pinto, but what is a fair extension?
Projecting a Pinto contract extension
At 24 years old, the potential for Pinto is high after the 2024-25. Pinto recorded career highs with 21 goals and 37 points in 70 games played. After the Senators were eliminated from the 2025 playoffs, Pinto raised his game more.
Pinto was playing with Team USA in the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Pinto was solid for Team USA with recording 10 points in eight games to help win gold. Pinto raising his game for Team USA was helping him raise his game and earning a new contract.
So, what could a new contract extension for Pinto look like that's fair on both sides?
5-6 years at $5.5-6.5 million per year
Waiting to extend Pinto might be better for the Senators with him not recording one 40-point season. Pinto has also missed 52 games combined over the past two seasons. However, Pinto's 107 career points in the most among any second-round draft pick from the 2019 class.
An idea the Senators could have with Pinto is sign him to an extension mid-season if he performs well like this past January when the Senators signed Ridly Greig to a four-year contract extension. So why 5-6 years for Pinto?
Pinto has been part of the Senators organization since being drafted. With his age and being a homegrown player, Pinto is destined to be part of the Senators for a long time. Being under contract for 5-6 more years can put him under contract into 2030-2031.
Extending Pinto for that length would also show the Senators are committed to winning with Pinto being part of the long-term plan. As of now, Dylan Cozens is under contract until 2030 and Tim Stutzle is under contract until 2031. Both Cozens and Stutzle are viewed at as core players for many years to come in Ottawa, and that is where Pinto can be viewed at as well.
An area Pinto thrived in 2024-25 was on the penalty kill with recording five shorthanded points, and his three shorthanded goals were tied for the most on the Senators. Pinto also came through being clutch with scoring five game-winning goals, which was also tied for the most on the Senators.
This upcoming season, Pinto will be eager to show the Senators why he is worthy of a long-term contract extension. With a career year in 2024-25, Pinto's expectations are higher than ever, but a bigger year could convince the Senators that Pinto is worthy of being part of the future for many years to come.