Ontario Reign: Is it a make or break 2026-27 campaign for Francesco Pinelli?

You don’t get much runway all of the time. For Ontario Reign forward and LA Kings prospect Francesco Pinelli, could time be running out on him to make an impression?

Pinelli, 23, re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Kings, returning for a fourth professional season and a standout player in juniors with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers. He served as team captain in his final two seasons with the club, played center and on the power play and penalty kill, and amassed 191 points (81 G, 110 A) in 174 OHL games.

Pinelli’s rookie season served as a transition period, one that saw ups and downs. Year two saw good play in spurts, but not consistent in a 72-game sample size. Last season, his third in the AHL, he finally had a bigger role. Whether it was at center or wing, Pinelli played a lot on the second and third lines, played on both special teams, and his usage under new head coach Andrew Lord changed.

CESCO WITH THE ONE TIMER!#ReignTrain I #CVvsONT pic.twitter.com/7bHYAwr1R7

— x-Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) April 11, 2026

CESCOOOOO!!!#ReignTrain I #CVvsONT pic.twitter.com/Xbt6oqiCtE

— x-Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) May 2, 2026

Despite the slight increase in his role, the point production hovered around the same as it did in year two (29 to 35 points). Is this a make-or-break year for Pinelli? I believe this is a critical year for his development. Every year, an AHL roster sees plenty of turnover. With some of the forwards on the Reign last year not returning or signed elsewhere, Pinelli could see a role where he could finally get top-six minutes.

Nothing is guaranteed because he has to clear waivers. However, if he does, this will need to be a season where he takes a big step, just as his former linemate Martin Chromiak took this past season.

Pinelli has done the small things well, like adding muscle, improving his 200-foot game, and wall play, but the offensive production will need to take a step forward. Looking like he could be a steal in the second round of the 2021 draft, Pinelli finds himself in a critical year for his development in the Kings organization.

Featured image credit: Megan Sanders/Ontario Reign