Dealing with Shane Pinto's contract is one of the first things on the Senators' 2024 To Do List.
With all the turmoil surrounding the Ottawa Senators during what must rank as one of the most disappointing seasons in the team's history, new GM Steve Staios now has plenty of decisions to make quickly.
With 2024 now well underway, here are five suggestions for new year's resolutions – just in case he forgot to make them last week.
1. Sign Shane Pinto
Shane Pinto will be eligible to play for the Senators on January 21st against the Philadelphia Flyers after he finishes his 41-game suspension for "gambling-related activities." The 23-year-old centre had 20 goals last season. All signs point to a low Average Annual Value (AAV) contract: Pinto does not have much leverage in the wake of his suspension, and the Senators do not have the cap space to sign him as we sit today.
Staios acknowledged the problem of signing Pinto and fitting him under the cap.
"It's challenging, but I'm confident that we can get it done," Staios said. "It's a situation that we've inherited, and the situation we're in is not ideal. But certainly, I'm confident that we'll be fine."
Staios should sign Pinto to an inexpensive deal and ride out the rest of the season. Then, in the off-season, sign Pinto to a team-friendly contract – maybe four years at a 3 million AAV?
2. Hire a head coach
The Senators' problems this season are not solely because of DJ Smith, the coach Staios finally ousted in December. In fact, the Senators had a better point percentage under Smith than Jacques Martin, who replaced him on an interim basis.
The Senators need to get this hire right. The team currently sits 29th in the NHL in goals allowed per game, and they need a defensive-minded coach. The names out there are Craig Berube, Jay Woodcroft, and Dean Evason, among others. The Senators would like the 2024-25 season to look like this season's Vancouver Canucks, which Rick Tocchet has transformed from run-and-gun to defensively responsible, with impressive success.
3. Extend of Trade Jakob Chychrun
Jakob Chychrun will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. If they can't get a deal done, for whatever reason, the Senators cannot afford to lose Chychrun for less than they gave up for him, which was a first-round pick and two second-rounders.
4. Sell! Trade Tarasenko and Kubalik, but do not be aggressive
The Senators have the fourth worst record in the NHL. They have lost three straight and look unlikely to string more than two wins together any time soon – they haven't done that since mid-November. The Senators are in no position to stand pat: they must sell their expiring contracts to the highest bidder this season.
Vladimir Tarasenko is on an expiring one year contract*, perhaps the Senators can get close to a first-round pick for him this year (the Blues got a first and some other pieces for him last year). Dominik Kubalik is also on an expiring contract; it might not have much value, but the Senators should try to recoup something for him.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Senators want to be aggressive. But with the team playing so poorly, this isn't the right time to be aggressive. It's clear the young core will not be touched, but the team does need veterans and potentially a shakeup. However, if the Senators do add veterans, it must be players who are signed to longer-term deals. This team is not ready to compete, and there is no reason to trade significant assets to be better this season. Staios must search for veteran players with term.
5. Recall young players and focus on the rebuild
The Senators have many young players in Belleville who are worth giving a chance over veterans. Look at Angus Crookshank, who has played well for Ottawa when he has been in the lineup. Defenceman Maxence Guenette has been stellar in Belleville, with 21 points in 31 games. Roby Jarventie had a brief look in the NHL and did not play well, but he does have 20 points in 21 games in Belleville. Even Mads Sogaard, with a .915 save percentage, deserves a chance. Based on what we've seen in Ottawa this season, Sogaard might well be the best goalie in the organization.
* Article updated to correct Tarasenko's status.