Las Vegas – With the NHL’s free agent market about to open on Monday noon Eastern Time, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito has shown great optimism about re signing their meritorious forward Sam Reinhardt. However, he also candidly stated that retaining Reinhardt and another key player, Brandon Montool, under strict salary cap restrictions will be a significant challenge.
A week ago, Reinhardt scored the winning goal in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final, helping the Black Panthers defeat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 and win the championship trophy for the first time. Throughout the season, he scored 57 goals in 82 regular season games and contributed 94 points, becoming the core force in the team’s offensive end.
“We certainly hope Sam can return,” Zito said in a media conference before the 2024 Upper Deck NHL draft on Friday. “He is an important part of our team, and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”
However, Zito also admitted that under the salary cap of $88 million, the team is facing enormous pressure to renew key players such as Reinhardt and Montool. Although Montur missed some games due to injury, his performance on the field is still outstanding and an important pillar of the team’s defense.
“We have been working hard to find a solution,” Zito said, “but the reality is that we must make the best choice within a limited budget.”
In addition to Reinhardt and Montool, the Black Panthers also have 11 other players looking for new contracts in the free agent market. These players include forwards Vladimir Tarashenko, Nick Cousins, and others, who have also made great contributions to the team’s championship.
Despite facing many challenges, Zito stated that he remains confident in the team’s future. “We have a solid core lineup and an excellent coaching team,” he said. “I believe we have the ability to continue to succeed in the future.”
As the draft draws to an end and the championship parade approaches, Zito and his team will shift their focus to the free agent market. They hope to retain the core players of this championship team as much as possible through shrewd operations and reasonable salary arrangements.
“This will be a busy summer,” Zito said, “but we are already prepared.”