The Ottawa Senators find themselves in a familiar spot of balancing the excitement of a young, promising roster with the financial challenges that come with success. As the team looks to lock up key pieces for the long term, internal salary comparisons are beginning to complicate negotiations behind the scenes.
At the center of it all lies the ripple effect of Brady Tkachuk’s massive $57.5 million contract.
Has Brady Tkachuk’s Contract Set a Ceiling the Senators Can’t Escape?
The Senators are facing a contract standoff involving forward Shane Pinto. According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, the team offered Pinto an eight-year deal earlier this month, but progress has been limited. While the team wants long-term stability, the financial implications of Tkachuk’s contract are reportedly making negotiations more complex.
During the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman explained that Ottawa’s internal salary structure plays a key role. “You’ve got Stutzle who’s in the $8s; Tkachuk in the $8s; Chabot; Anderson; Ullmark; I’m sure Ottawa’s sitting there and saying…we don’t want to go there too,” he said.
The Senators appear reluctant to push Pinto’s salary into the same range as Tkachuk’s, who remains one of their cornerstone players.
Pinto’s case, however, has grown stronger. The 24-year-old center has scored seven goals in his first seven games, stepping up impressively in Tkachuk’s absence.
Yet, as Friedman noted, the offer “doesn’t mean a deal is close.” Instead, it reflects a “realization” from the Senators that previous talks weren’t progressing and needed a reset.
The situation mirrors past challenges between Pinto and the team. Negotiations have reportedly been “rugged,” and friction has existed since before his brief suspension for violating the NHL’s gambling policy last year.
Despite being a reliable two-way center, Pinto hasn’t matched the offensive numbers of players like Tkachuk or Tim Stützle, something Ottawa’s front office is carefully weighing.
Tkachuk’s Contract Setting the Tone for Ottawa’s Salary Structure
Tkachuk’s long-term deal has become a benchmark for the Senators. Signed in 2021, his seven-year, $57.5 million contract carries an $8.2 million annual cap hit. It reflects his role as captain and emotional leader of the team, and also sets a high bar that complicates other extensions.
Friedman noted that one executive from another team believes Pinto’s next contract “could still be a short-term deal.” With two seasons left before unrestricted free agency, Pinto might prefer betting on himself rather than locking in a lower AAV now.
His agent, Lewis Gross, is known for a patient approach, the same one used in William Nylander’s negotiation with the Toronto Maple Leafs years ago.
The Senators can’t afford to let the talks drag on too long. Pinto’s performance this season underscores his growing importance. He plays against top matchups, kills penalties, and has shown signs of developing into a top-two center.
A short-term “bridge” deal may be the most realistic outcome. It would allow Pinto to keep building his case while giving Ottawa breathing room to manage future contracts.