Realistically, it’s too late for the Senators to consider making the playoffs this year, but that doesn’t stop Shane Pinto and his teammates from putting in the effort in search of an improbable journey.
Since returning from a half-season suspension for violating the NHL’s betting policy, Pinto has played in a way that provides a glimpse of what the future might hold for the team.
Pinto has five goals and eight assists in 16 games since Jan. 21, when he played his first game of the season.
Ottawa was 9-5-2 during that stretch and won seven of the eight games in which it provided at least one point.
“We missed him a lot in the first half,” defenseman Jake Sanderson said. Since his arrival, he has had a bit of a spark. »
The 23-year-old center from Long Island was on track to possibly land a lucrative pact last summer as a free agent. Then came the league’s investigation that led to the suspension of 41 games, for “activities related to sports betting.” »
The NHL said only that there was no evidence that Pinto had bet on hockey.
Pinto signed a contract prorated to the minimum salary of $775,000. Returning to play on January 21 in Philadelphia, he has since been a key element for the Senators, playing alongside captain Brady Tkachuk.
Teammate Josh Norris said Pinto brought a lot of stability to the lineup.
“He plays good hockey,” Norris said. He missed a lot of time, but it doesn’t look like he was out long at all. He contributed a lot. He’s a big part of our team and definitely a big part of our core and the future, so we’re happy to have him back. »
Jacques Martin, at 71 the oldest coach in the league who is in his second stint in Ottawa, about two decades after the first, believes it took time for the players to understand what he was trying to do. instill in them after taking over from DJ Smith in mid-December.
“They had to add a dimension to their game, learn to play away from the puck. It’s necessary if you want to succeed, Martin said. If you want to win a championship or win the cup, you have to add aspects to your game.”