2024 Stanley Cup Champion Center Returns to the Panthers
After being dealt from the Buffalo Sabres to the Florida Panthers during the 2021 offseason, 10-year center Sam Reinhart inked a three-year contract with the Panthers in August 2021. Since joining the Panthers, Reinhart has played a key role in the attack, setting up teammates for success and scoring goals. In the final year of his contract with the Panthers, Reinhart came into last season focused on fulfilling a lifelong ambition of raising the Stanley Cup. The Panthers and Reinhart would win their first Stanley Cup together as he finished the season with 57 goals, tied for second in the NHL, and 10 goals in the postseason, the last of which was the game-winning goal in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Oilers. Reinhart, who was one of the league's most sought-after players going into free agency this offseason, has reportedly signed an eight-year, $69 million contract with the Panthers in an effort to win back-to-back titles next season.
Following his WHL career with the Kootenay Ice, Reinhart was selected by the Sabres as the second overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Reinhart had no trouble becoming a dangerous goal scorer in the NHL after appearing in only nine games during his rookie year. He finished his first full season in the league with 23 goals. With five of his seven seasons with the Sabres ending in 20 goals or more, he established himself as one of the NHL's best centers. Reinhart accumulated 295 points, 161 assists, and 134 goals in his Sabres career. Reinhart would strengthen his offensive game after joining the Panthers, scoring 30 goals or more between 2021 and 2024, and earning a spot in his first All-Star Game last season.
In 82 games played the previous season, Reinhart had a career-high 57 goals, 37 assists, and 94 points. With 12 multi-goal games at the end of the regular season, Reinhart recorded his highest total to date. Reinhart would have his greatest game of the season on January 6th against the Avalanche, with three goals and four shots on goal. Reinhart's playmaking skills and effective scoring stroke will help him to continue to make an impact on the Panthers going into next season's campaign.
