In the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators were looking to hit the mark with the first selection of the second round on the draft. With the 32nd overall pick in the draft, the Senators selected Shane Pinto.
For a second-round draft pick, Pinto has been steady in the NHL. Pinto's 107 career points are the second-highest among any second-round draft pick from the 2019 draft class, only behind Nils Hoglander of the Vancouver Canucks.
This season, Pinto is entering the final year of his contract at $3.75 million. Pinto is set to become a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season concludes as of now. Despite being a fan favorite, it might be better for the Senators to wait on giving Pinto an extension.
Why it might be better to wait on a Pinto extension
At 24 years old, potential for Pinto is still high. Although the 2024-25 season was a career year for Pinto, it might be best for the Senators to not give Pinto an extension quickly.
Pinto recorded career-highs for a single season with 21 goals and 37 points in the 2024-25 season. Pinto became a reliable player for the Senators when it came to goal scoring.
However, it can be important for the Senators to make sure that Pinto can be more consistent to earn a bigger salary. In the end, Pinto hasn't recorded a 40-point season in his career.
Pinto has also missed 53 games over the past two seasons. Forty-one games in the 2023-24 season due to gambling, then 12 games last season due to injuries.
The Senators may want Pinto to prove himself higher in the 2025-26 season with recording a bigger year. If Pinto underperforms in the 2025-26 season, the Senators may not be interested in not only giving Pinto a higher salary that he potentially might be looking for, but also not a bigger length for a contract.
An example of waiting on an extension that worked out for the Senators was defenseman Tyler Kleven. Last season. Kleven was on the final year of his contract as a restricted free agent.
Along with having a career year in 2024-25 with recording 10 points, Kleven was known for his defense and delivering hits. The Senators re-signed Kleven to a two-year extension in June after he proved his worth.
Just like Kleven, another example of the Senators waiting to sign a player for an extension is Ridly Greig. While Greig was improving his game this past January, the Senators signed Greig to a four-year extension.
During the 2025 IIHF World Championships, Pinto helped Team USA win gold. Pinto's game on the International stage was pivotal to help him earn a potential extension when July 1 arrived, but no extension has been signed yet.
Pinto will be eager to show the Senators in 2025-26 to show why he's worthy of a solid extension, but a career year can help him earn a bigger salary per year and length term.