Senators RFA forward leaves the team, opts to return home

The NHL's 2023-24 season is underway, but Ottawa Senators restricted free agent forward Shane Pinto is still unsigned.

The two sides are wanting to get a contract done, but it's been extremely tough due to Ottawa's current salary cap situation. Despite that, Pinto has been in Ottawa the last few days in hopes of getting a deal done, but now, according to Bruch Garrioch, he will be returning home.


In order to solve their salary cap situation, Ottawa Senators General Manager has been discussing trades involving forward Mathieu Joseph and defenceman Erik Brannstrom. Joseph has three years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $2.95 million, while Brannstrom is owed $2 million this season before becoming a restricted free agent next summer.


Pinto, 22, had a pretty solid rookie season in the Nation's capital in 2022-23 where he put up 35 points (20 goals, 15 assists), 18 penalty minutes and was a minus-21 in 82 games.

Shane Pinto is a big piece to Ottawa's future and to not have him signed is frustrating for both sides. It seems like Dorion is quite active on the trade market as he wants to get his done as soon as possible, but the clock is ticking.

Because he's a restricted free agent, if he's still unsigned by 5 p.m. ET on December 1st, he'll not be allowed to play in the National Hockey League for the rest of the 2023-24 and that's a situation both Pinto and the Senators want to avoid.

TSN