The Ottawa Senators find themselves in a familiar yet precarious situation with one of their rising stars, Shane Pinto. The recent report from Elliotte Friedman about the Sens tabling an eight-year contract extension offer, which was presumably rejected, sends a clear signal: the two sides are not on the same page, and this could get complicated.
Pinto’s Gamble: Betting on Himself
From where I’m sitting, Shane Pinto is making a calculated gamble, and so far, it’s paying off handsomely. He’s betting on himself, and his historic start to the season, becoming the first player in franchise history to score six goals in the first five games, has only strengthened his position. Pinto’s agent, Lewis Gross, is wisely letting his client’s on-ice performance do the talking. While a long-term deal offers security, Pinto’s camp is likely looking at the current market and seeing a much higher ceiling for their client’s next contract.
The rumored gap between the offer and what the Pinto camp deems fair market value suggests that the Senators might be trying to lock him in at a price that won’t reflect his production by the end of the season. A league executive’s estimate of a contract between $7.1 million and $8.35 million seems much more in line with the trajectory Pinto is on.
The Senators’ Dilemma
For the Ottawa Senators, this is a delicate dance. General manager Steve Staios‘ comments about “positive discussions” are standard GM-speak, but the reality is that they are facing the prospect of a costly arbitration hearing next summer if a deal isn’t reached. Arbitration can be a messy business, often creating a rift between the player and the team, which could ultimately lead to Pinto’s departure from Ottawa.
The Senators have a talented young core, and Pinto is a crucial piece of that puzzle. Losing him would be a significant blow to their long-term plans. The question for the Senators is whether they’re willing to pay the price to keep him, a price that is increasing with every goal he scores.
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