Welcome back to NHL Rumours and for this one a visit to the Canadian National capital city. Where we got our rumours from, there was some chat on the overall performance of the club. However, our focus is on a big pending free agent. So, let’s get into another edition of Ottawa Senator rumours with us here at Last Word On Hockey.

NHL Rumours and Key FA Contract Negotiations

Rumour: Bruce Garrioch and Claire Hanna were chatting at the intermission of the Nashville Predator game on Monday afternoon. Garrioch was going over the details of Shane Pinto‘s contract negotiations.

Analysis: Even though there’s not much new to report, as time progresses the details of the deal become more clear. Average annual value seems to be the big topic, and term is important, too.

The fun part about this discussion is Pinto’s scorching hot start. He was held pointless against Nashville yesterday, but had scored two in each of the first two games. That’s why talking contract seems all the more intriguing.

Pinto is currently in the second year of his two-year deal. This was the deal he signed after he returned from his long 41-game suspension. It was known to be a bridge deal. Although Pinto hasn’t reached his peak offensively, his all-around game is clearly very refined. His career high in points remains only 37. Statistically, one of Pinto negotiation strengths is that he twice scored 20 goals. That is despite the fact of his lower point career-high total.

However, we know how good he is as a complete player. He’s a centre, can play either specialty team, and is a very smart, high IQ guy. It’s no wonder the Team USA brass wanted a closer look at him, regarding his invite to summer orientation camp.

These are all positive points for Pinto’s camp. Like Garrioch said, and we may be paraphrasing, but “ca-ching.” That’s how Garrioch responded when Hanna pondered how the contract negotiations are going. It’s looking more and more likely that whatever the deal ends up being, Pinto is sure to cash in.

The Ottawa Senator Shane Pinto’s 2025-26 Point Projection

What’s More to the Rumours

Garrioch said that Pinto’s camp suggested that talks be put off until later on. It is not necessarily referring to putting them off until the offseason. However, with a busy season and the possibility of an Olympic invite and the drive for a playoff run, Pinto needs to focus on the team and his individual game.

Garrioch went on to say, he does think that general manager Steve Staios reaches out before too long. We are aware of the idea of accountability and professionalism that Staios and staff possess. So, yes he will respect Pinto’s wishes to give him time. In contrast, he wants to show he’s interested and if there is something to talk about, he wants to be prepared.

The In-House Comparable Contracts

In terms of contractual details, Garrioch referenced a couple other teammates’ contracts. Dylan Cozens contract could be considered a comparable, for each of length and amount. He’s currently in year three of a seven year, nearly $50 million deal. Moreover, even though as he is penciled in on the depth chart ahead of Pinto, Cozens isn’t necessarily more valuable. Which says a lot for someone earning as much as he does, that we are even comparing the two players respective value. That is to say, Pinto will definitely be in that ballpark in terms of AAV.

Garrioch also brought up captain Brady Tkachuk‘s contract. Not so much based on dollars amount even though it is still close at a shade over $8.2 million. The reason for mentioning Tkachuk’s contract was the amount of remaining term. Tkachuk is due for free agency in the summer of 2028. At that time, the situation, not just in Ottawa, but the entire NHL landscape can be much different, as shown by Kirill Kaprizov‘s monster deal, and the trickle-down effect that has occurred, just from that one deal.

The idea is, what can the Sens expect to pay for a combo of Tkachuk and Pinto. You have to think Tkachuk will want one of two things, if not both. He will want big money, but we think most importantly, he will want a chance at a Stanley Cup championship. That’s what we mean by the scenery in Ottawa itself, could look very different in a couple years time. It will depend on this group’s post-season success, let’s be honest.

One More for NHL Rumours from Ottawa

Lastly, there was another rumour that duo of Hanna and Garrioch pondered over. That was an improvement to their 5v5 scoring. Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund were added to somewhat help address this issue. They are solid drivers on goal production, there’s definitely an argument to be made for that fact. However, in 41 games combined last year with the Sens, after being acquired, the two players managed just seven goals between them. Not exactly an increase in 5v5 scoring. Lars Eller should also help in this regard, as he is skilled as a bottom-six guy.

In any sense, Ottawa needs to beat teams at 5v5. If come the quarter-way mark of the campaign, and they’re struggling in this regard, look for Staios to act. Needless to say, Ottawa, like many teams need a top-six scorer. As we all know, they don’t grow on trees.

Well, there we have it. Ottawa is 1-2 on the season, and Pinto has exactly half of the team’s goals. They are getting production throughout, but it hasn’t shown to be enough. With the expectations of playoffs on this group, it won’t take too long for Staios to be proactive. Whether that is give Pinto a big stamp of approval, or a big time shakeup, utilizing that bit of free cap space that they do have, decisions will be made before too long.

Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel – Imagn Images