OTTAWA — Believing in a core.

The signing of Shane Pinto to a four-year contract extension worth $30 million by Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios is not just about Pinto. It is placing a bold wager on a Senators nucleus made of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson with Pinto as a key part.

“Obviously, really special,” said Pinto about his extension on Thursday. “We’ve been building something pretty cool the last few years here, and just for them to show the commitment to me that I’m part of the core.”

It’s the right wager, as Pinto has proven to be a phenomenal shutdown two-way centre who can score. That’s hard to find in the NHL.

It’s lofted him into the conversation to make Team USA for next year’s Olympics. At just 25, Pinto is on pace for career highs in every s

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