Panthers forward Sam Reinhart speaks to the media following Florida's 5-0 win over Ottawa on Nov. 27. It’s been quite a start to the season for Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart. The 28-year-old came flying out of the gates and is on pace for the best statistical season of his NHL career. He’s also trending toward doing something he has yet to do during his 10 years in the league. Despite six straight 20-goal seasons between his time in Buffalo and Florida, the former second overall pick has never played in an NHL All-Star Game. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] He’s had several solid, above-average seasons, but he’s never been voted or selected to represent his franchise at the annual gathering of the league’s best and most popular players. If this season’s All-Star Game were taking place in a week, Reinhart would be a shoe-in. Entering play Monday, Reinhart is tied for second in the NHL with 16 goals in his first 24 games of the year. He’s had multi-point outings in 11 of those 24 games, and six of his 16 goals have been game-winners. The thing about Reinhart is that his value goes much deeper than just on the scoresheet. To this point of the season, and throughout much of his career, Reinhart’s even strength possession metrics have been just as valuable an attribute as his scoring production. According to Natural Stat Trick, Reinhart’s high danger chance for percentage is 57.14, the second best of his career, and high danger goals for percentage is 64.29, what would be a career high. Additionally, his forward line with Sasha Barkov and Evan Rodrigues has consistently turned in dominant possession performances game after game. Reinhart is also, at least at the moment, probably the only All-Star-worthy Panthers player. An argument could be made for Sergei Bobrovsky, and guys like Sasha Barkov and Matthew Takchuk aren’t far behind and have more than enough time between now and early February to jump back into the conversation, but for now, Reinhart would have to be the guy. How much may or may not change in the next couple months remains to be seen, but Reinhart making his first All-Star team would almost certainly be big deal and cool experience for the pending free agent. He sure picked a great time to have, to this point, his best season in the NHL. The 2024 NHL All-Star game takes place on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers recall defenseman Uvis Balinskis from AHL Charlotte [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-recall-defenseman-uvis-balinskis-from-ahl-charlotte] Checkers check-up: Balinskis scores in AHL debut, Charlotte struggles against Hershey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/checkers-check-up-balinskis-scores-in-ahl-debut-charlotte-struggles-against-hershey] Three takeaways: Pulling positives from dominant loss, second line on the rise [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-pulling-positives-from-dominant-loss-second-line-on-the-rise] 'The game was right there': Panthers locker room reacts following tough loss to Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-game-was-right-there-panthers-locker-room-reacts-following-tough-loss-to-islanders] Panthers frustrated by Sorokin, Islanders in 4-3 home loss [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-frustrated-by-sorokin-islanders-in-4-3-home-loss] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
