The Sabres currently moved veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen earlier today have actually been reported to be prepared to move on from both Reinhart and captain Jack Eichel this summer. Reinhart only actually moved back to the center ice position this season, lining up more as a winger through his first numerous years in the league.
Reinhart represents a boost to that offense, and one that can be moved around the lineup depending on the rest of the relocations the Panthers make this summertime.
The Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers are working hard on a Sam Reinhart trade, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The Sabres already moved long-time defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen earlier today have actually been rumored to be prepared to move on from both Reinhart and captain Jack Eichel this summer season.
Reinhart, 25, has been one of the only beacons of consistency in a brutally irregular franchise over the previous six seasons, publishing somewhere in between 17-25 objectives and 40-65 points each season. Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider he played simply 54 games this season, but still handled a 25-goal campaign.
Unlike Ristolainen, who is often blamed for a lot of the losing in Buffalo due to the fact that of his negative possession statistics, Reinhart is seen as someone who could break out if offered the possibility in a much better situation. He has actually been, nevertheless, the focus of some fans ire since of a lack of effort at times, though that has actually been a typical refrain for numerous of the Sabres that have remained in Buffalo for a number of years, consistently missing out on the playoffs. He has also been given fairly prime opportunities for the Sabres, barely ever being offered much protective duty despite playing almost 20 minutes a night. Reinhart just really moved back to the center ice position this season, lining up more as a winger through his very first a number of years in the league.
Still, for the Panthers, this will represent another win-now relocation for a team that was currently among the finest in the league in 2020-21. Reinhart represents an increase to that offense, and one that can be moved around the lineup depending on the rest of the moves the Panthers make this summertime.
Like Sam Bennett however, a fellow 2014 draftee, Reinhart is a limited totally free representative this offseason, and will be looking for a hefty agreement. He is arbitration-eligible and simply one year away from UFA status, meaning any multi-year agreement will be pricey. If the Panthers believe he can be a core piece for them moving on, that may make sense, but even a short-term deal could work for the group given how close they appear to contention.
More to come …