2023-10-24 16:16:50
Out of sight, out of mind, you have to believe.
Ottawa Senators head coach DJ Smith said Tuesday his team remains focused on its game as restricted free agent Shane Pinto remains sidelined while awaiting a new contract .
“We don’t have time to think about Pinto’s absence. It’s out of my control,” Smith commented.
Pinto was in Ottawa earlier this month, but returned home after a few days. According to journalist Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia, the center explained that he wanted to concentrate on training because the attention on him was too much in Ottawa. He is from Franklin Square, New York.
Pinto is the league’s highest-profile unsigned restricted free agent since the Anaheim Ducks agreed to terms with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale on three-year contracts before the start of the season.
The 22-year-old forward had 20 goals and 35 points in 82 games last season, his first full year in the NHL. He only appeared in five games in 2021-22 due to a shoulder injury.
Pinto was selected by the Senators in the second round of the 2019 draft.
According to the site CapFriendlythe Senators only have $42,568 in space under the salary cap despite having a 21-man roster.
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