Senators Fans: Don’t Be Surprised if Shane Pinto Is Traded
If the Ottawa Senators decide to shake things up at the trade deadline, Shane Pinto could be in play. The Minnesota Wild might be a destination. They have some cap room, need depth down the middle, and have already been linked to veteran names like Claude Giroux. But Pinto fits the Wild's profile perfectly. He’s a young center who can score, has term left on his deal, and is currently underutilized in Ottawa.
The Wild could use someone like Pinto right now.
Minnesota could use someone like Pinto right now. They’re set up well on the wings and defence, but their center depth isn’t exactly overflowing. Pinto can slot into the top-six or at least give them a strong second line, which is exactly the type of injection the Wild needs. In Ottawa, Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens have the top spots down the middle locked up, leaving Pinto stuck on the third line. Talent-wise, he’s ready for more responsibility, and the Wild could give him that stage.
The contract situation lines up, too. Pinto carries a $3.75 million cap hit this season and has a four-year contract extension at $7.5 million AAV. No trade protection for the early years makes him tradable, and Minnesota could make the numbers work. That’s especially true if Jesper Wallstedt heads the other way.
He compares well to Giroux, who is a UFA after the season and could help in the short term. The difference is that Pinto would be there for the long term. Pinto is the guy who can contribute now and still be part of Minnesota’s core for years to come.
Trading Pinto could work for both the Wild and the Senators.
A trade like this could make sense for both sides. Ottawa moves a talented player who isn’t getting the ice time he needs and nets something in return, while Minnesota beefs up its center depth with a scorer who’s just entering his prime. Add in the potential goalie swap with Wallstedt, and suddenly it’s a deal that changes things for both teams rather than just a minor tweak.
So for Senators fans, don’t freak out if you start hearing Pinto’s name in trade chatter. He’s the kind of young, dynamic talent that teams like Minnesota chase when they have the room and the motivation. If Ottawa starts selling, he’s exactly the sort of player who could move—and such a move wouldn't be surprising. Keep your eyes open; Pinto could be on the move.