'I can get to 30': Ottawa Senators' Shane Pinto determined to boost his scoring total

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeOttawa SenatorsSportsHockeyNHL 'I can get to 30': Ottawa Senators' Shane Pinto determined to boost his scoring total After producing career highs in goals and assists last season, all while playing in a taxing shutdown role, he vows he can still do more. Author of the article: By Callum Fraser Published Sep 17, 2026 Last updated 1 day ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators skates for a loose puck during the first period of a game against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 30, 2025. PHOTO BY SAM HODDE /GETTY IMAGES Article content In the post-Brady Tkachuk era, the Ottawa Senators‘ offensive outlook is highly dependent on remaining core players filling the void. Article content Shane Pinto believes he can do his part. Article content Article content While many players shy away from putting an actual number on their objectives, the 25-year-old centre has one particular benchmark in mind. Article content “As you get older, you feel better, you feel more confident kind of each year,” he told the Ottawa Citizen on the first day of training camp Thursday. “I mean, hopefully, I think I can get to 30 goals. I think that’s definitely obtainable.” Article content Article content It absolutely is. Pinto had career-highs across the board last season with 23 goals and 23 assists in 72 games, all while playing the most difficult minutes amongst the forwards corps. Article content Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “I think I’ve improved each year, and I think I’ll continue to,” he said. “Obviously, I think with our team getting better, too, I think that always improves too. So, yeah, 30 goals hopefully. Like I said, I only care about the team making the playoffs, to be honest. I think, when the team make playoffs, I think everyone plays well.” Article content Typically used in the bumper position on the Senators’ second power-play unit in the past, perhaps Pinto gets a look on the top unit this season. There are also options to play him in the top six, moving Dylan Cozens over to the wing to make room on Line 2. Article content It’s early. Very early. Article content “I mean, obviously with the departures, guys are going to have to…