Despite a betting-related suspension that is costing Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto 41 games of the campaign, the 23-year-old will spend at least another season in Canada's capital.

The Senators signed Pinto to a one-year contract worth an AAV of $775,000 on Friday, the team announced. The former second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft has appeared in 99 games for Ottawa over the last three seasons, scoring 21 goals and 43 points in the process.

Last season, the former University of North Dakota Fighting Hawk stepped up in Josh Norris' lengthy injury absence, scoring a career-high 20 goals and 35 points over a full 82-game slate.

“Perhaps the most understated part of his game was the massive leap he made in the face-off circle last year. The rookie centreman went from winning less than 40% of his face-off during the 17 games he played between the 2020-21 season and the 2021-22 season the winning 52.1% of his draws last season,” stated the official team release.

“With the growth Pinto has shown in his scoring ability, playmaking and in the face-off circle early in his career and his hunger to return to the ice, his return provides a real spark for the Senators and quite a bit of flexibility. When everyone is healthy Pinto will likely be the third line centre, allowing Ridly Greig to either anchor the fourth line giving it a boost or move to the wing within the top-nine.”

Shane Pinto ready to put betting suspension behind him

Image: Shane Pinto in middle of image looking stern, OTT Senators logo, hockey rink in background

Pinto hasn't played a game for the Sens since the team lost a 4-3 decision to the Buffalo Sabres back in April of 2023, the final game of Ottawa's 2022-23 season.

He's eligible to return to the ice on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers — exactly 283 days since his last game.

“It’s awesome. It’s special,” Pinto said in his first public comments since the suspension, per The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch. “You kind of take it for granted being around the team and how much the boys mean to you. It’s good to be back. I don’t want to get too emotional about it, but it’s awesome. It’s been a long road for me but I’m happy to be back on this road.”

Shane Pinto will look to make an immediate impact for a lowly 16-24 Senators team over the final half of the year.