OTTAWA — Whether Shane Pinto is a second- or third-line centre could be a matter of millions.

Now, with the Ottawa Senators forward leading the league in goals and slated to reach restricted free agency on July 1, the matter is a particularly pressing one.

Pinto plays the toughest matchups, scores and kills penalties. Yet, on paper, he slots in as Ottawa’s third-line centre. Thanks to a scorching start to the season with seven goals while still taking on the toughest defensive matchups, Pinto has established himself as Ottawa’s second-most-important centre.

Nominally the third-line centre, he would be within his rights asking for more than the $7.1 million that official second-line centre Dylan Cozens makes.

The Senators have offered Pinto an eight-year contract, Sportsnet’s Elliotte F

See Full Page