Last month we started examining current Florida Panthers players who could eventually have their number retired by the team. The first players discussed were probably some of the more obvious choices. They were Panthers captain Sasha Barkov, who has played his entire career with Florida, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, the backbone of their back-to-back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final and consecutive championship wins. Now we’ll take a look at a player who has made a massive impact on the team since his arrival during the summer of 2021. Florida acquired Sam Reinhart during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for their 2022 first-round pick and goaltending prospect Devon Levi. In his four seasons with the Panthers, Reinhart has become one of the NHL’s premiere scorers while also earning a reputation as one of the league’s top two-way forwards. He’s racked up 160 goals and 324 points in his 321 regular season games in a Florida sweater. That includes the eye-popping 57-goal campaign Reinhart put up during the Panthers’ first Stanley Cup-winning season. He was also selected to participate in the NHL All-Star Game that season, marking his first time playing in the annual superstar showdown. In each of Reinhart’s four seasons in South Florida he has received votes for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given annually to the NHL’s top defensive forward. While the prestigious award has gone to Barkov, Reinhart’s linemate, in each of the past two seasons, it’s clear that Reino’s getting more and more credit for the defensive elements of his game. Reinhart came in fourth place in Selke voting in 2023-24 and improved to second place this past season. Looking ahead, the 29-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s under contract with the Panthers through 2032 at a team-friendly $8.625 AAV (average annual value). Considering the talented teammates that Reinhart will continue to be surrounded by, there is no reason to think that he and his fellow felines will fall below the expectations they’ve set for themselves in recent seasons. The bottom line is that while Reinhart still has some work to do after he crosses into his 30s, he’s got a clear and reasonable path to someday seeing his No. 13 handing above the Panthers ice. Do you think Reinhart will have his jersey number retired in Florida? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Florida tan: Panthers name engraved onto Prince of Wales Trophy for third straight season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-tan-panthers-name-engraved-onto-prince-of-wales-trophy-for-third-straight-season] Matthew Tkachuk featured on cover of NHL 26, first Panthers player selected since John Vanbiesbrouck [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-featured-on-cover-of-nhl-26-first-panthers-player-selected-since-john-vanbiesbrouck] Would Panthers' Aleksander Barkov Need to Reach 100 Points To Receive Hart Trophy Consideration? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/would-panthers-aleksander-barkov-need-to-reach-100-points-to-receive-hart-trophy-consideration] Newton native Mackie Samoskevich brings Stanley Cup to Sandy Hook Memorial during hometown visit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/newton-native-mackie-samoskevich-brings-stanley-cup-to-sandy-hook-memorial-during-hometown-visit] Pair Of Former Panthers Defenseman Invited To Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/pair-of-former-panthers-defenseman-invited-to-canada-s-olympic-orientation-camp] Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
