Ottawa Senators sign forward Shane Pinto to a one-year contract

After a long and tumultuous saga, Shane Pinto has re-signed with the Ottawa Senators.

On Friday, the team announced that they have signed the 23-year-old forward to a one-year, $775,000 contract, just $25,000 over league minimum.

Pinto had been a restricted free agent by the time the 2023-24 season had started, but before the Senators signed him, he was suspended 41 games for violating the league’s gambling policy.

The former North Dakota star returned to Ottawa and began practicing last week. Pinto is eligible to play in the Sens’ matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, but it is not yet confirmed when he will return to the lineup.

When he spoke to the media last Friday, Pinto expressed how hard it has been to be sitting at home serving the suspension.

“You kind of take it for granted being around the team,” Pinto said. “How much the boys mean to you. It’s good to be back. I don’t want to get too emotional about it, but it’s awesome.”

If Pinto does play on Sunday, it will be his first NHL game in 283 days.

After an injury filled 2021-22 season, where Pinto needed shoulder surgery, the Franklin Square, N.Y. native posted 20 goals and 15 assists in 82 games in 2022-23, finishing seventh on the team in scoring.

One of the most underrated part of Pinto’s game that improved last season was his work on the faceoff dot. The right-handed center ended up winning over 52% of his draws last season, but it might take a game or two for Pinto to shake off the rust in the circle.

In 99 career NHL games, Pinto has notched 21 goals and 22 assists.

The Senators (16-24-0) are set to host the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon during Hockey Day in Canada, before making the quick trip to the Philadelphia for a Sunday afternoon clash. They are still at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, and the entire Eastern Conference, 12 points back of the seventh-place Buffalo Sabres, and 19 back of a Wild Card spot.