Predicting Shane Pinto’s Linemates for 2025-26

Shane Pinto‘s role for the 2025-26 Ottawa Senators is a bit of an unknown one. However, that is an advantage for the Senators overall lineup composition. Realistically, he could skate in most any role within the Sens top-nine forward group. That is assuming he gets sufficient specialty team time to offset a potential lack of total ice time if he’s down on the third line. In any case, the Sens may mix him in either of the top-three lines. So, let’s discuss Sen fans, shall we?

Understanding Shane Pinto’s Potential Line Configuration for 2025-26

The obvious choice might just be put him on the third line. Last year, the line of Michael Amadio, Ridly Greig, along with Pinto, was a very successful third line. The GAP line as it were, played well once they linked up. To that point, they played nearly 210 minutes together, and had an expected goal percentage of 52.5%. Now, they couldn’t quite beat that in actual goals-for, as they were at 50%. However, that is a strong line analytically, and fairly efficient by those standards. In any case, it would be no problem for Sen fans running-it-back with that lineup configuration. Then, why would we even consider changing it up?

Play Him With the Thoroughbreds

The reason we would consider switching it up, is to optimize the productivity of the other lines. One argument could be made for loading up a top line. If Shane Pinto lined up with Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, that would be one way of doing that very thing. Moreover, take Tkachuk, he isn’t overly efficient, and having someone with a high shooting percentage on his line, like Pinto, might help in that department. Pinto had a 16.5 shooting percentage in 2024-25 (Brady was only 9.8, yes, injuries likely played a factor there as well).

Also, Stutzle plays an all-around game. He’s not really a playmaker or a shooter, or anything specific, more so strong at puck retrieval and always being on the puck and making plays with his great speed. However, with Pinto, they could find a way to play a more controlled style in the offensive zone. Thus, establishing zone time, and being able to take it to the net when the opportunity presents itself. Pinto could hang high in the offensive zone, playing more of a defensively responsible, two-way role for the line. This would make Pinto the shooter of the line, being a goal scorer, as he’s done already in his young career netting 20-or-more twice already. It might even give Stutzle more freedom to attack in the O-zone.

More On the Intrigue of Loading Up a Top Line

In addition, there is another advantage of having Pinto and Stutzle on the same line, faceoffs. Pinto has won 50.1% of the faceoffs he’s taken over his career, and given that he is still learning, there’s potential for that to increase. In contrast, Stutzle is still down at 43.2% for his career. It is beginning to get to the point, if not now, when, and he might be designated a winger as a result. (We will add quick, that his faceoff win percentage is rising over the past couple seasons). That’s not to mention that Brady takes a lot of draws as well. Pinto is even the opposite handedness of both of them, to further give this idea momentum. In any sense, Pinto would be an interesting supporting-cast member for a potential stud top line of Tkachuk – Stutzle – Pinto.

Pinto Really Does Do it All

Now, given the fact that Pinto is a more so defensive player, the likelihood of this is low. But it is early August and fun to come up with ideas, no? This leads us to final possible line combination for Shane Pinto.

This combo might end up as reality. That combination being Pinto, being flanked by Ridly Greig and Claude Giroux. It is worth noting, that this is another potential iteration of three guys who can take faceoffs. The advantage here, is that it drops Giroux down, into kind of a third-line role. At this point of his career, getting away from top defensive matchups would do wonders for him. Also, for Pinto, an already efficient scorer, having a brilliant playmaker like Giroux could be a recipe for success. Finally, Greig is a player still looking to improve his offensive bottom line. Lining up with a scorer and a playmaker, in a middle-six capacity, does have the potential for something exciting.

It is still early August, and no, we don’t know exactly what head coach Travis Green will cook up. Also, the other variable to keep in mind, is injuries. It is likely, such as has been the case throughout Pinto’s career, he moves around the lineup to help fill in. He is the ultimate five-tool guy, especially given his 200-foot game and being responsible and accountable. The fun thing about a guy like Pinto, is that he is likely to succeed in any role, just as he has thus far in his NHL career. This upcoming campaign is a big one for Pinto, as it is his contract season. Even though he is an invaluable part of the Sens penalty kill, having the opportunity to light the lamp, and get the bank, is tempting, ain’t it?