Ottawa Senators Rumors: Shane Pinto Extension Talks Revealed

 It's been a rollercoaster season for Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators. He spent the summer in limbo, a restricted free agent with no contract offers coming his way. Then we learned why: he was suspended for 41 games by the NHL for gambling violations after a summer investigation. 

But things have turned, and after coming back with a strong second half, Pinto is now looking at a long-term extension in the offing with the Senators. 

Insider Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia is reporting on some of the details:

Pinto confirmed his New York-based agent Lewis Gross is talking about a long-term deal with (GM Steve) Staios. Postmedia has learned the two sides are looking at a contract in the five- or six-year range after Pinto signed his qualifying offer in January so he could get his career back on track.

Pinto has followed up his 20-goal rookie season last year with a much-improved point-per-game mark in his 39 contests since coming back: 27 points gives him a .69 ppg, compared to .43 in his 2022-23 debut. His goal-scoring has remained at about the same pace (.23 per game), with nine markers in his 39 games. As well, his plus/minus numbers are vastly improved, going from a minus-21 last year to a plus-9 this season. 

Pinto was hoping to get a new deal signed before reporting to Team USA for the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia May 10-26. If an extension isn't done by then, Garrioch says he could ask Team USA to get an insurance policy to protect him. The 23-year-old is anxious to extend his season at the Worlds after missing the first half of the NHL campaign.

Photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports