Sam Reinhart missed celebrating with the Florida Panthers during their championship parade. However, he won’t miss defending their title next season.
Reinhart, who scored the decisive goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, has agreed to an eight-year, $69 million contract to remain with the Panthers. This news comes from a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday morning.
The deal was finalized on Sunday night, ensuring Reinhart avoids unrestricted free agency and secures a long-term commitment from Florida. With this agreement, Reinhart joins forwards Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, both locked in with the Panthers for the next six years.
Despite missing the celebration parade due to attending his best friend’s wedding, Reinhart expressed his joy in a video message to fans, calling it the “best week of my life.”
This past season was particularly memorable for Reinhart, scoring a record 67 goals for the Panthers, including 10 in the playoffs. His goal in Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers sealed the Stanley Cup victory for Florida, capping off an extraordinary journey from the start to the end of the season.
After celebrating with teammates and attending the wedding, Reinhart now looks forward to continuing his career with the Panthers for many years ahead.
