He has the skill set of a good tweener (2nd/3rd liner) with flashes of top six skill accompanied by active defensive stickwork, puck thievery and a surprising motor.
I find him very noticeable on the ice playing a canny and cerebral game.
Hopefully he'll prove it in over an extended period this time around - he's had some rotten luck.
I disagree. He'll more than a tweener. To me a tweener is someone who has an unbalanced skillset and has very good to borderline elite skills in certain categories, but average to below average in others. For example, Connor Brown has outstanding speed, motor, defensive IQ, and can control the puck reasonably well. But his shot is below average and his offensive IQ and playmaking is just average.
I just don't see Pinto as a tweener. I think people are pidgeon-holeing him into that role because the Sens already have two centers above him on the depth chart, and he's really good defensively. It's just too convenient to slot him into that 3C role, but call him a "tweener" because he's better than your average 3C. But watching him play, his shot is extremely good, his hockey sense is almost off the charts, he can distribute the puck very well. There's no doubt in my mind he's top 6 potential, bordering on 1C potential.
Pinto is a classic late bloomer. IIRC, he didn't start playing competitive hockey until he was 15. He still has lots of room to grow.
