Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart has been a goal-scoring machine all season. His pending UFA status will only heat up the speculation ahead of free agency. Sam Reinhart [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NTI2NjE4NTA3MDYwMzY5/usatsi_22920740_168400847_lowres.jpg] Sam Reinhart Earlier this week, we looked at the potential cost [https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-high-cost-of-contract-extensions-for-sidney-crosby-and-leon-draisaitl] of new contracts [https://thehockeynews.com/news/could-leafs-mitch-marner-get-as-much-as-auston-matthews-on-his-next-contract] for Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner. Today, the focus shifted to Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart. Crosby, Draisaitl and Marner have a year remaining on their respective contracts. Reinhart, however, is slated to become a UFA on July 1. The 28-year-old Panthers forward is completing a three-year deal [https://puckpedia.com/player/sam-reinhart] with an average annual value of $6.5 million. It's been a career year for Reinhart. He reached the vaunted 50-goal plateau for the first time, currently second among NHL scorers with 53 goals. Reinhart's also earned praise from his teammates for his 200-foot play. On Feb. 29, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov spoke [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sam-reinhart-scores-40th-goal-as-epic-season-with-florida-panthers-continues] of how his teammate “does all the right things on the ice defensively.” Panthers coach Paul Maurice also sang [https://x.com/JamesonCoop/status/1772642450844053964] Reinhart's praises, jokingly trying to dissuade potential UFA suitors. “He's really good, unless you're trying to sign him as a free agent,” said Maurice told reporters on March 26. “In which case there's a little attitude problem, and he's hard to deal with.” Reinhart's next contract is no joke for Panthers general manager Bill Zito. During the February all-star break, The Hockey News' David Dwork noted Zito's interest [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/we-want-to-get-something-done-reinhart-provides-update-on-panthers-contract-extension] in signing his high-scoring forward to a new contract. Meanwhile, Reinhart told reporters he has no issues with those discussions continuing during the season. They maintained those positions during recent interviews [https://theathletic.com/5385622/2024/04/03/panthers-sam-reinhart-free-agency/?source=emp_shared_article] with The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Reinhart said he has a very good relationship with Zito and remains confident a contract will be worked out. Zito, meanwhile, believes the two sides will find the right deal. That deal will be expensive. Reinhart could seek an eight-year deal exceeding $10 million per season, making him the Panthers' highest-paid player. Zito must also re-sign pending UFA defenseman Brandon Montour and RFA forward Anton Lundell. Signing all three will use up the Panthers' projected $20.8 million in cap space for next season [https://puckpedia.com/team/florida-panthers] unless Zito can shed a couple of contracts.
