In a recent development, the Ottawa Senators have officially renewed their contract with center Shane Pinto, sealing a one-year agreement valued at $775,000.
Pen to paper, Pinto is back!
The Senators have signed Shane Pinto to a one-year contract.
📰 Read more: https://t.co/xoDWgcnsVT pic.twitter.com/XIvP5cWetB
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 19, 2024
The announcement comes on the heels of a 41-game suspension imposed on Pinto for violating the NHL’s gambling regulations.
The league suspended Pinto in late October, offering limited insights into the nature of the transgression. However, they clarified that it did not involve wagering on NHL games.
The NHL Players’ Association successfully negotiated the terms of Pinto’s penalty with the NHL.
Shane Pinto can join the game and make his comeback debut against the Philadelphia Flyers. Senators are currently 4th last in the entire league with mere 32 points from 40 games.
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Multiple sources have disclosed that the crux of the issue leading to Pinto’s suspension pertained to “proxy betting. It is a practice wherein other individuals gain access to a legal account in his name—an action expressly prohibited by platforms like FanDuel.
It is worth noting that the state of New Jersey levied a $150,000 fine against DraftKings in March 2022 for permitting sizable and illicit proxy bets.
Shane Pinto, aged 22, concluded his inaugural full season with the Senators in 2022-23. Across the 82 regular-game season, Pinto amassed 35 points with 20 goals and 15 assists.
A product of the Senators’ 2019 NHL Draft, Pinto, got drafted in the second round (32nd overall). He has since gathered 43 points, comprising 21 goals and 22 assists, throughout his 99-game career.
As a restricted free agent entering this off-season, Pinto, hailing from Franklin Square, N.Y., negotiated a league-minimum contract. As per E Friedman reports, There are ongoing discussions aimed at finalizing a more extensive, long-term arrangement.