Shane Pinto signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. It has an average annual value of $7.5 million.
The forward, who turned 25 on Wednesday, could have become a restricted free agent after this season.
"It's awesome," Pinto said. "I think we've been building something pretty cool the last few years here, and just for them to show the commitment to me that I'm part of the core, it's awesome. I'm just super grateful and just happy to be here, for sure.
"I just kind of want to see where it's at when I'm 29, and I just felt like it was just a good deal for both sides. And I think those are a good part of my career. Hopefully 25 to 29, hopefully I have some good years and that's just the number I came up with."
Pinto is second on the Senators with nine goals and is third with 15 points in 17 games this season.
Selected by Ottawa in the second round (No. 32) of the 2019 NHL Draft, Pinto has 122 points (60 goals, 62 assists) in 222 regular-season games, and two points (one goal, one assist) in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"It's a great day for the organization," Senators general manager Steve Staios said. "He's a very important player for us and continues to grow and get better, and I think credit to both sides. You get in these good long dialogues, but through the season it could become a distraction, and now we're happy to get it done. We think it was a fair deal for both sides. I think the term allows some flexibility on both sides, and this group has an opportunity now with where we are with our contracts and they continue to make strides in the right direction, and Shane's an important piece."
Pinto, who has played for the United States at the IIHF World Championship in each of the past two years, including winning gold in 2025, was invited to orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, on Aug. 26 and 27 to help decide the final 25-man roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in February.
The Senators (9-5-4), who defeated the Boston Bruins 5-3 on Thursday, are 4-0-3 in their past seven games.
"I think everyone feels it in the room," Pinto said. "I know we're still a young team. I just turned 25 and Tim (Stutzle) is still 23 and [Jake Sanderson is 23], so the core is pretty special. I think everyone could see it and everyone's going to buy in now. I think everyone's bought in and we're hoping to do some special things here in the near future."
