Senators’ Pinto answering the call with blazing start in contract year

OTTAWA — The money is calling for Shane Pinto and right now his play is answering.

The Ottawa Senators forward scored his league-leading sixth of the season and the shootout winner Thursday night in a 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken.

Pinto, who is in the final season of a two-year contract extension that pays him US$3.75 million per year, is turning heads and boosting his value with his early season play. While he’s happy to contribute, the 24-year-old is urging caution.

“It’s a long season,” Pinto said with a laugh. “It’s only five games in so, yeah, hopefully I can just stay consistent.”

Last season, Pinto, who finished with a career-high 21 goals and 16 assists, showed how he can contribute offensively, adding to his defensive abilities. Pinto is a key member of the Senators penalty kill.

Coming into camp, Pinto admitted he didn’t want his contract status to be a distraction. Contract discussions have been held between the Senators and Pinto’s agent, but nothing has come to fruition from the early discourse.

Pinto’s success hasn’t been lost on his teammates.

Every time he steps in front of the cameras post-game, his teammates can’t resist chiming in with a chorus of “cha-ching” reminding him of the payday his play is earning him.

“He’s such a great guy, and we’re all just so happy for him right now,” said forward Dylan Cozens. “He’s playing awesome hockey. He’s an unbelievable player and he plays the game the right way, and he’s getting rewarded for it.”

With the Senators playing without captain Brady Tkachuk, who underwent surgery to his right thumb, Ottawa will need others to step up and if Pinto can be that guy, everyone will benefit.

Head coach Travis Green is happy with his forward’s play, but also cautious in his praise.

“He’s one of those guys that when we talked about our team improving that you’d hope that he’d come back and be a better player than he was last year,” said Green.

“So, we’re not sure where he ends up as a player. I think there’s lots of our guys that you can say the same thing about. Happy for him, but I haven’t talked to him a whole lot, to be honest, first five games and for a reason, but he’s definitely playing well.”

Green emphasized the importance of playing well on both sides of the puck and how it usually translates into success.

“His details are sharp,” said Green. “He’s got a quick release; he works hard and that’s kind of how we want to play.”

Pinto, a member of Team USA’s gold medal-winning team at the world championships, has placed himself on the radar for the U.S. Olympic team. He already earned an invitation to the team’s summer orientation camp and the way he’s started this season will only strengthen his case.

“You can see the confidence,” said Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark. “Can see a little bit more swagger as well, kind of blossomed a little bit…he’s doing the right job.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2025.