NHL ROUNDUP

Suspended Pinto signs with Senators, could debut Sunday

OTTAWA, Ontario — Shane Pinto signed a contract with the Ottawa Senators on Friday, paving the way for the first modern NHL player suspended for gambling to make his season debut Sunday at Philadelphia.

Pinto, now 23, was banned 41 games – half the season – back in October after an investigation found he violated the league’s sports gambling policy. Neither he nor the league would reveal exactly what he did to draw the suspension other than to say Pinto did not bet on hockey.

Pinto’s deal is worth a pro-rated league minimum of $775,000. He was a restricted free agent when the suspension was handed down, meaning the Senators owned his rights but he was unsigned.

Capitals sign Protas to 5-year extension worth $16.875M

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Aliaksei Protas to a five-year extension worth $16.875 million, a long-term commitment to a young player the organization believes is on an upward trajectory.

General manager Brian MacLellan announced the deal Friday. When the new contract kicks in next season, Protas will count $3.375 million annually against the salary cap through 2028-29.

The Minsk, Belarus, native was a thirdround pick in the 2019 draft.

Friday’s games

Devils 4, Blue Jackets 1: Alexander Holtz, Nico Hischier and Nathan Bastian scored 6:03 apart during visiting New Jersey’s fourgoal second period to snap a two-game skid. Cole Sillinger scored for Columbus, and Elvis Merzlikins finished with 29 saves.

Wild 6, Panthers 4: Kirill Kaprizov scored two of visiting Minnesota’s five power-play goals, Ryan Hartman also had two goals, and the Wild handed Florida its fourth straight loss. Aaron Ekblad, Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell and Gustav Forsling scored for the Panthers.