Why would he be the 3rd line center? Also I'm just stating what the rumors said, Ottawa is looking for a top 6 center
He is undoubtedly a top 6 center. I'm just saying that's what pinto projects to be as early as this year or next.
And I don't see Ottawa making the playoffs.
Monahan has been trending down fairly drastically in offensive production the last 3 years. Pinto is obviously trending up as a rookie in his second year. (Yes, monahan can easily have a bounce back year and pinto can have a step back)
Knowing these things, if you have 2 guys who are maybe putting up a bit over 0.5ppg as options for the second line C, wouldn't a NON-PLAYOFF team rather give the ice time to their drafted prospect they've put time to develop over an older player that is trending down?
That's my thought process.
Sure, Monahan would get the 2C slot out of camp, but as Ottawa falls out of the playoff race, he could easily lose ice time to developing pinto in that role.
So why would a team give up significant assets for that when the goal isn't even the playoffs with Tampa, Florida, Toronto, Boston, Montreal in the same division.
It's not that they can't make it but realistically won't.