The Ottawa Senators are reportedly making a significant move to secure the future of young center Shane Pinto, but is it too soon to commit long term? Recent reports indicate that the Senators have offered Pinto an eight-year contract extension. While the details of the offer remain undisclosed, the move signals Ottawa's strong desire to keep the 24-year-old in the fold for the long haul.
Pinto is currently playing on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.75 million and is set to become a restricted free agent next July with arbitration rights. This season, Pinto has been off to a torrid start, leading the NHL in goals. Last season, Pinto registered a career-high 21 goals and 37 points.
However, the question remains: are the Senators jumping the gun by offering such a lengthy extension based on a relatively small sample size of high-end performance? Pinto has shown flashes of brilliance, but he has yet to consistently produce at an elite level over an entire season. Committing to an eight-year deal involves inherent risk, especially if Pinto's current goal-scoring pace proves unsustainable.
It's worth noting that contract talks between Pinto and the Senators were previously put on hold due to a significant gap in valuation. Some reports suggest that Pinto's camp may be seeking a contract in the range of $7.1 million to $8.35 million annually, aligning him with comparable players like Dylan Cozens and Tim Stutzle. The Senators' initial offer was rumored to be in the $5 million to $5.5 million range.
The Senators' eagerness to lock in Pinto could be driven by several factors. With Stutzle and Cozens expected to anchor the top two center positions for the foreseeable future, securing Pinto would provide valuable long-term depth down the middle. Moreover, the rising salary cap environment could incentivize teams to lock up promising young players before their value skyrockets.
However, there are potential downsides to consider. An eight-year commitment carries the risk of overpaying if Pinto's performance plateaus or declines. It could also limit the team's financial flexibility to pursue other roster upgrades in the future. Pinto's agent, Lewis Gross, may also be looking for a shorter term deal.
Ultimately, the decision to offer Pinto an eight-year extension reflects the Senators' belief in his long-term potential. Whether Pinto accepts the offer remains to be seen, but the negotiation process will be closely watched as it could have significant implications for the Senators' future. If the Senators and Pinto go to arbitration next summer, it could hasten his departure from Ottawa.