PAINFUL EXIT: Florida Panthers veteran Forward is gone

PAINFUL EXIT: Florida Panthers veteran Forward is gone

It’s time for another batch of NHL rumours. The Stanley Cup Final is just days away, but there is plenty of hot stove action. It’s not just the eliminated teams that are making news in NHL rumours. One of the two clubs vying for the Stanley Cup is trying to lock up one of their key forwards. Today’s NHL rumours focuses on the Florida Panthers looking to ink one of their top scorers.

Florida Panthers Trying to Lock Down Vital Scorer

Analysis: Reinhart has come alive in the Sunshine State and been one of the team’s best players. The 28-year-old forward potted a career-high 57 goals in the regular season for the Panthers. It seems that Reinhart has really come into his own as a player since coming over in the 2021-22 season.

The North Vancouver, British Columbia native has scored at least 30 goals in each of his three seasons with the club. He was already a 20-plus goal-scorer with the Buffalo Sabres. However, he’s really broken out with the Panthers.

Mutual Interest

It seems that both sides are keen in making a deal happen. Florida has reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season and third time in franchise history. Reinhart has played a major hand in that coming to fruition. The veteran has eight goals and four assists for 12 points in 17 post-season games this campaign. His eight goals this run matches what he did in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Panthers General Manager Bill Zito knows that he’s got a lot of decisions to make when it comes to his roster. There are a lot of players that could hit the open market if he chooses not to re-sign some of them. However, it seems that Zito is putting a new deal for Reinhart at the top of his to-do list. There are players that Brandon Montour that need new deals, but Reinhart is likely the top priority.

LeBrun said that Zito wouldn’t comment on the situation. However, it was said that there’s mutual interest between the two parties. That’s a positive sign for Panthers fans who want to keep one of their top players.

Time Crunch

One concern is that there won’t be a lot of time to turn around and complete a new contract. The Stanley Cup Final series could extend until June 24 and free agency starts a week later on July 1. A quick series could mean that there’s more wiggle room for the two sides in contract talks.

However, there could be some negotiations going on during the final itself. According to LeBrun the Edmonton Oilers are likely to hold talks when the team returns to Alberta for Games 3 and 4. This is a likely time-saving step for General Manager Ken Holland and the rest of the Oilers management team.

Zito is probably going to do the same thing or has probably already started talks with some his key free agents. Besides contract for this year’s free agent window, Zito has to think about the future. Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Carter Verhaeghe are all unrestricted free agents at the end of next season. Zito has to make sure there’s enough money for these guys if he wants to keep the core together.

The Panthers do have the advantage of being a zero income tax state. This allows a player salary to go a little bit further than in other places. A player could likely get a lower salary, but have more net profit. This could play into Florida’s hand and allow the team to hang onto most or all of their pieces.