It’s time for another batch of NHL rumours to end the work week. We’re closing in on the end of the season, but general managers are already thinking about the future. Some players have played well and are likely to cash in with a big payday this offseason. Other general managers are thinking about making moves to put themselves back into Stanley Cup Playoff position. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Florida Panthers
Rumour: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun talked to Panthers General Manager Bill Zito about the future of top-scorer Sam Reinhart with the team.
It's safe to say Sam Reinhart's pending free agency status doesn't seem to be weighing on him.
But even in the midst of a career year, Reinhart isn't thinking about his impending big payday.
He just wants to win, he tells @PierreVLeBrun.https://t.co/syJEmGvpJQ pic.twitter.com/anfHQhpq3q
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) April 3, 2024
Analysis: Reinhart is having a career season with the Panthers with 53 goals. The 28-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and he’s looking to cash in the summer. Reinhart makes $6.5 million and will probably get a raise for his stellar season.
The West Vancouver, British Columbia native is going to get a lot of attention if he hits the free agent market in the summer. Conversely, the Panthers general manager is confident that he will re-sign Reinhart to a new deal. Florida does have some players getting big contracts, but the franchise does have a few built-in advantages. The state is a no income tax state and that helps players keep a little bit more many than they normally would at other locations.
Both parties said they’re happy with the current relationship. Reinhart is likely to stay in Florida as he’ll get more bang for his buck. Some team is going to have to really blow Reinhart away with a massive offer in order to get him to move. The two sides are focusing on the Panthers Stanley Cup playoff push. However, Reinhart is probably staying put in South Florida.
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: Adam Proteau of The Hockey News said the Buffalo Sabres might be in the market for a stopgap option in goal while Devon Levi develops.
Analysis: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has played much better in the second half. However, there are concerns if he can shoulder the load while Levi gets some much-needed time in AHL Rochester. Luukkonen does seem to finally be putting things together as Buffalo makes a late surge.
Levi has shown flashes of being the goalie of the future. In contrast, the former Northeastern University standout needs to get reps at the professional level instead of sitting on the bench. Playing in the American Hockey League would give him that chance being a number one. This means that Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams might need a veteran goalie to help bridge the gap between Luukkonen and Levi. A veteran goalie could step in if Luukkonen goes back to struggling or can lighten the workload on whoever is number one.
A couple of names that Proteau mentions are Los Angeles Kings goalie Cam Talbot and Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark. Talbot is 36 years old and a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He’s played well at times, but David Rittich has taken a number of games for the Kings in the second half.
Ullmark would need some convincing to return to Buffalo. The Swedish goalie blocked a trade to Los Angeles at the trade deadline. It’s probably likely that Ullmark has Buffalo on his no-trade list. There may need to be some arm-twisting in order for Ullmark to return.
Martin Jones could be a low-cost option and did play decent at times in Toronto in the AHL and NHL. Jones might be on the list if Talbot or Ullmark don’t want to come to Western New York.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
