Sam Reinhart agrees to 8-year contract to return to Panthers: Sources

The most prominent, highest-scoring forward out there comes from the NHL’s free-agent market.

Forward Sam Reinhart has agreed to an eight-year contract with the Florida Panthers, league sources said. The deal is expected to be announced on Monday. Reinhart was ranked as the top unrestricted free agent, according to The AthleticsIt’s Chris Johnston.

Reinhart had a career year with the Panthers, setting personal single-season highs in goals (57) and points (94) in 82 regular season games.

He was second only to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews in goals last year. The 28-year-old added 10 goals and 16 points in 23 playoff games, including the game-winning goal in Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup.

Moments after winning the Cup, Reinhart expressed his desire to remain with Florida as a pending unrestricted free agent.

Sam Reinhart, waiting for UFA: “I don’t want to leave. I want to be here.” pic.twitter.com/3wDc3Xk1jt

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 25, 2024

The No. 2 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft has 255 goals and 538 points in 696 NHL games in his career with the Panthers and Buffalo Sabres.

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(Top photo of Sam Reinhart: Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)