Former Sabres Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart were each nominated for NHL Awards last week. [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b9316e49-622f-4fdd-8f1c-8168ccd47bb2.jpeg] Former Sabres Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart were each nominated for NHL Awards last week. Former Buffalo Sabres Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel each had good weeks. Reinhart and the Florida Panthers advanced to the second round after eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, while Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights had a difficult time with the Minnesota Wild before eliminating them in six games. The pair of former second-overall picks also were nominated for awards by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Reinhart was nominated along with teammate Aleksander Barkov and Tampa’s Anthony Cirelli for the Selke Trophy for the league’s best defensive forward. Reinhart has been one of the league’s most consistent scorers and is also excellent defensively and as a penalty-killer. The Sabres top pick in 2014 had 81 points (39 goals, 42 assists), which includes five short-handed goals. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/is-peterka-in-prime-position-for-big-payday] Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-ownership-ranked-worst-in-nhl-by-survey-in-the-athletic] Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-facing-an-off-season-of-change] Eichel was nominated along with Tampa’s Brayden Point and Anze Kopitar of the LA Kings for the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” The Sabres 2015 top pick scored a career-high 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games (8th in NHL scoring), leading the Golden Knights to the Pacific Division title. Eichel had just eight penalty minutes during the regular season. Both forwards and their clubs face difficult second-round matchups, with Reinhar facing the Atlantic Division-winning Toronto Maple Leafs, while Eichel and the Golden Knights take on the reigning Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo]
