George Richards, FHN Publisher
It may have taken the Florida Panthers a few weeks to officially sign Sam Reinhart to a new contract, but there was no drama and “no issues.’’
The Panthers acquired Reinhart in a draft-day deal with the Buffalo Sabres late last month and on Wednesday announced that the two sides had agreed on a three-year deal worth an average of $6.5 million per season.
The two sides started talking once the trade was complete but other business — free agency for one — got in the way of an immediate deal being worked out.
But there was no worry from either side that something was going to get done.
“It feels great,” Reinhart said from his offseason home in Vancouver on Thursday morning. “Just to have it behind us and focus on camp now.
“As far as being a Panther, it has been a couple weeks now and there were no issues with that in trying to sign a deal. Nothing new there. I’m just excited about the new chapter and the opportunity ahead.”
In the end, the Panthers are happy to have Reinhart locked in for the next three seasons.
Reinhart, who played last season on a one-year deal, is happy to have something done and be able to set up shop in South Florida.
And, in two years, the two sides can go back to the table and start working out a new pact.
But that is really getting ahead of things.
For right now, Reinhart is ready to dive in with a playoff-ready team after a couple frustrating years with a Buffalo organization that appeared lost at sea.
“It is exciting and there is an extra level of motivation knowing the guys (Florida) has, the talent level that is there and what they’re setting out to do with their goals,” Reinhart said.
“It is a great feeling and really refreshing coming into that mindset. I can’t wait to do my part and fit into what they’ve already been building. Hopefully I will help put us over the top.”
Said Florida GM Bill Zito: “It is exciting when someone is excited to come here. I think it is a big compliment to our room, our players that he wants to come and join them. It is exciting.”
LIFE WITH A FLAT SALARY CAP
Although some thought Reinhart would have signed on for more than three seasons with the Panthers, Zito said it is a length of term which gives both sides some flexibility.
In working with a current flat salary cap which isn’t expected to grow by more than $1 million per season over the next couple of years, Zito has to look years in advance in trying to keep his team as intact as possible.
This offseason, Zito has already extended the contracts of Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Anthony Duclair, Gus Forlsing and Brandon Montour.
Some of Florida’s biggest names — Sasha Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar — will be up for contract extensions in the coming years.
Barkov is up for one this summer with his new deal kicking in during the 2022-23 season. Huberdeau and Weegar can be extended next summer.
While teams cannot keep everyone, you have to try.
Zito is trying.
“This is a great deal and what it does is give us some ability to plan,” Zito told FHN on Thursday. “We have a little bit certainty for a couple of years. ‘OK, we know we’re OK here.’ In tandem with the certainty, we have flexibility.
“You now have the ability to move forward with multiple pieces who can play top 6 in multiple positions including center which is a luxury that you’re not always afforded. You’re able to plan and you’re able to start thinking one, two, three or four seasons out. You’re able to engage in those exercises knowing where you are now and where we need to get to.”
Said Reinhart: “It’s nice to know both parties were OK with that and happy with that. I don’t think I can stress enough that both parties are confident this is going to work out and ultimately, it will be longer than (three years). That’s in the plan for both of us.
“This is an opportunity to get down and get familiar and be part of this win-now mentality that has been building for year. Hopefully this year and in the following two, we can really reach our goals. It is something we envision can be a lot longer.”
The Panthers, make no mistake, are a loaded team right now.
Some players — such as Barkov, Verhaeghe and Huberdeau — are currently on extremely team-friendly contracts based on their high-end production.
Verhaeghe will be getting $4.2 million starting in 2022-23 after signing a two-year, $2 million deal last October.
Barkov and Huberdeau will be getting big raises sooner-than-later.
When a team succeeds based on the production of its players, a bill comes due.
The Panthers are trying to keep everyone happy and well paid while trying to fit everyone in.
Right now, everyone is happy and relatively well compensated.
Now it is time to see what this team can do on the ice.
Last year was certainly a huge step in the right direction.
Florida, thanks in great part to the additions of players like Verhaeghe and Duclair, were two points away from winning the third division title in franchise history.
Although the Panthers lost players such as Alex Wennberg, Chris Driedger, Keith Yandle and Anton Stralman, some of those were by design.
Others, the team hopes to replace either from outside the organization (Reinhart) or from within (Spencer Knight).
Reinhart did not get to see the Panthers up close last season as the Sabres played in the East Division, but he says he is excited to get to Florida and hop on the ice with his talented new teammates.
“I saw a couple games against Tampa and that was a heck of a series,” Reinhart said. “To be able to see where they were able to get to and where they want to get to is motivating to me especially this summer moving into camp and into the start of the season.”
The Panthers are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender right now and the addition of a versatile player such as Reinhart gives coach Joel Quenneville a plethora of options moving forward.
Reinhart is expected to start the season on the right side of a new top line which would include Barkov and Verhaeghe, although he could play with Huberdeau and Bennett — either as a center or right wing.
Florida’s power play will also have a new look this season with Yandle bought out and off to Philadelphia.
With 10 goals on the power play last year with the Sabres, Reinhart will play a big role when Florida has the man advantage this year.
“If you talk to coaches and GMs, no one is ever satisfied,” Zito said. “But I think Sam is — the word dynamic is overused — but for him it is really applicable because of his versatility, his skill and his hockey sense.
“Really, he crosses the red line and he is a threat to make a play at any time and in any space on the ice. … He is a pretty significant hockey-playing package and that really gets you excited.”
SPRINGTIME IN BUFFALO
Reinhart, who turns 26 in November, spent seven seasons with the Sabres after being the second-overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft behind new teammate Aaron Ekblad.
The Panthers do not travel to western New York until visiting the Sabres on March 7 and Reinhart said he is looking forward to the return.
Although things did not work out in Buffalo as either side had hoped upon his arrival, he said it was a big part of his life.
“It is going to be bizarre for sure but it is part of the business that so many guys have to go through,” Reinhart said.
“I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as I can because there are a few good memories there and I have relationships there that will last a lifetime. I have some excitement about going back and catching up with so many people.”