Nearing the end of a 41-game suspension for breaking the NHL's gambling policy, Long Island native Shane Pinto inks a one-year deal with the Ottawa Senators.
Nearing the end of a 41-game suspension for breaking the NHL's gambling policy, Long Island native Shane Pinto inks a one-year deal with the Ottawa Senators.
After being suspended for violating the NHL's sports gambling policy in October, Long Island native Shane Pinto is nearing his return to the league.
Pinto, a Franklin Square native, agreed to terms on a one-year, $775,000 deal for the remainder of the season with the Ottawa Senators ahead of his return; he is eligible to return to the lineup on Jan. 21 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The suspension was handed out prior to the Senators' matchup with the New York Islanders on Oct. 27. At the time, he was a restricted free agent and enjoyed his first 20-goal season in the NHL last year. However, the two sides were at an impasse in negotiations.
While Pinto will be in-toe for the remainder of the season, a long-term deal has yet to be agreed to.
The Senators, who were projected to be a playoff-caliber team in 2023-24, have struggled mightily, sitting in the basement of the Atlantic Divison (16-24-0).
They fired head coach and former Islanders second-round selection in 1995, D.J. Smith, on Dec. 18 after moving on from their general manager Pierre Dorion on Dec. 1.
Star defenseman Jakob Chychrun hasn't agreed to a long-term extension after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes last March, so if he is on the move, could that mean Pinto is on his way out this summer?
His hometown New York Islanders are a possible fit with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck as pending unrestricted free agents and a fellow Long Island native, Kyle Palmieri of Smithtown, on the roster.
However, adding Pinto will require a trade or offer sheet from general manager Lou Lamoriello, who also has to deal with the expiring contracts of restricted free-agent forwards Simon Holmstrom and Oliver Wahlstrom.