The news officially came down the pipeline on this Saturday morning. With the Ottawa Senators set to take on the St. Louis Blues tonight, the news is that the Sens have placed centre Shane Pinto on injured reserve. Let’s find out what this means.
Shane Pinto Moved to Injured Reserve
One of the problems with this happening, is the Sens have been hit by the injury bug this year. As we have seen, it’s not the amount of injuries, it is the significance of those injured. Thomas Chabot is currently out and Brady Tkachuk has still only managed seven games. With Pinto being out, it really tests the team’s resolve. Furthermore, the timetable is set at a minimum of two weeks. Luckily, no surgery will be required.
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Pinto centres, perhaps the best third line in all of hockey. So, Michael Amadio and Claude Giroux will need to shuffle around in the lineup. Perhaps this can be an opportunity for Ridly Greig to showcase his skills. He was skating extremely well to start the season, but then got hurt himself. Being apart of the top penalty kill unit, along with Pinto, is kind of an example of why the Sens PK has struggled.
For Pinto personally, he was one pace for a career year. His career high in goals is 21 and points is 37, but recorded last year. Moreover, in 27 games so far, he has 12 goals and 18 points. If upon his return, he can maintain such a pace, he will approach those career marks. Assuming that he doesn’t miss too much time. There is also the feeling that this injury takes him out of the running for Team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. It was fierce competition for him already, and missing vital time right before the teams are selected could be costly. Hopefully, for his sake, he put up enough work in the 2025 World Hockey Championships, as well as at the summer orientation camp to crack the squad.
Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron – Imagn Images
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