In a trade that happened during this past offseason, the Florida Panthers made a splash acquiring the 2014 second overall pick, Sam Reinhart from the Buffalo Sabres as they received goaltending prospect Devon Levi and a 2022 first-round draft pick. Having spent his whole career with the Sabres, Reinhart has maintained an extremely steady line of production. Now that Sam has been traded to a contending Florida Panthers team, Reinhart is poised for his most productive season yet.
Sam Reinhart’s Offensive Explosion Imminent
As previously mentioned in our Puck Drop Preview covering the Panthers, Sam Reinhart is one player to watch heading into the 2021-22 season. One of the reasons why is that Reinhart has never been surrounded by this much talent in his career. While he has kept some excellent company over the years, this Panthers team is drastically different. Not only are they better and have more depth compared to the more recent Sabres teams. The Panthers organization is leaps and bounds ahead of Buffalo. However, they have not had the most success over the years. They have the least amount of drama of all the NHL clubs. Not to mention a winning atmosphere, no matter how new it may be.
Reinhart has a lot to prove to his new teammates and fan base coming into the new season. Averaging 49 points over the last six seasons, Reinhart has found a way to score even in Buffalo of all places. Scoring at least 22 goals in his previous four seasons, that number will jump drastically. He is joining a team that has finished in the top ten in Goals For the past three seasons and plays a high flying run and gun-style offence while dominant on the power play. Do not be surprised if Reinhart hits 30 goals or more this season while reaching 70 total points.
So far, during training camp, Reinhart has been paired with Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe on a line, and well, let’s just say, so far, so good. While it is brief and on the first day of training camp, there is a lot to like in what you’re about to see!
Me: It’s only the first day of camp.
Also me: This goal! 🙀🔥 pic.twitter.com/7N1ZUN8B3D
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) September 23, 2021
Florida Panthers Top Six with Sam Reinhart
Given his skill set, no matter where Reinhart slides into within the lineup. He will find a way to put the puck into the back of the net. Whether he continues to play alongside Barkov and Verhaeghe or if he drops down and plays with Jonathan Huberdeau, Sam Bennett, or Anthony Duclair. Reinhart will produce. Both lines are riddled with fast, play-making, and goal-scoring players. Imagine putting Reinhart on a line with Barkov and Huberdeau. Playing with the Florida Panthers’ all-time duo, both guys are pass-first players that put the team first. Line them up next to a guy that has a proven nose for the net. Well, there goes the neighbourhood.
Overall, Reinhart is an outstanding player that has joined an exceptional team. There will be more pressure than ever on Reinhart and the Panthers to perform. Reinhart can deal with the criticism. The best part about adding a player like Reinhart is that he is more than just an offensive threat. Coming off this past season in Buffalo, Sam maintained quality defensive numbers too. Thanks to Evolving Hockey, we can see that Sam plays a more balanced game than you may expect. While the defence is not his most substantial area, this team has plenty of other guys who can make up for that.
At the end of the day, Sam Reinhart and the Florida Panthers must back up all the hype and noise that surrounds them. Heading into the 2021-22 season, this team will do well. It will just be a matter of how long they can maintain it.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
