Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto could be the perfect fit to improve the Montreal Canadiens right away.
According to Pierre LeBrun, negotiations between Pinto and the Senators have stalled, which could prompt the player to request a trade.
Additionally, it appears his camp is looking for a hostile offer as soon as the free agent market opens, as reported by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
Pinto’s relationship with the Senators has not been an easy one. Last year, contract negotiations fell through and while the two sides seemed close to an agreement, Pinto was suspended for the first half of the season due to a violation of the league’s betting policy. Once reinstated, he was forced to accept a minimum-salary contract of $775,000.
Despite these obstacles, Pinto was quite productive, accumulating nine goals and 18 assists late in the season while playing over 18 minutes per game. In his career, he has 30 goals and 40 assists in 140 NHL appearances.
While both sides initially wanted a long-term deal, they remain far apart on the financial issue.
Pinto is reportedly seeking a contract in the range of $5 million per year, an amount that would require compensation from the team that would like to offer him that contract in the form of a hostile offer.
That compensation would be a first- and third-round pick, both for 2025.
For the Montreal Canadiens, adding a center of Pinto’s caliber would be a major asset. But the hostile offer avenue is too risky. The CH will then have to sacrifice its own 1st round pick in 2025 since for a hostile offer, you can only give up your own choices.
We would therefore have to find a transaction offer, which would be difficult, given that the CH is in the same division as the Senators.
But Pinto in Montreal would allow Kirby Dach to be placed on the wing or to have three extremely solid centers, like any team aspiring to the Stanley Cup.
Pinto could effectively complement the team’s center line. Additionally, his ability to play long minutes, play both ways and produce points would be an ideal complement to the Suzuki, Dach, Caufield, Slafkovsky and Newhook of this world.
If Pinto is successful in obtaining a hostile offer, he will have to wait until the free agent market stabilizes to evaluate his options.
However, due to his ineligibility for salary arbitration this summer, this hostile offer remains his only alternative to prove to the Senators that he deserves the salary he is asking for. That’s why he just requested a trade.
We want him in Montreal…but we don’t want to sacrifice our first round pick in 2025, when the CH should still finish in the cellar.
