Coach Andrew Brunette says the Florida Panthers are lucky to have versatile centreman Sam Reinhart.
The Panthers, 11/2 to win the Stanley Cup in 2021/22, returned from the All-Star break by winning three straight games on the road, and have won seven of their past eight.
In his debut season with Florida, 26-year-old Reinhart has scored 47 points (17 goals 30 assists) in 47 games including 10 points (five goals, five assists) in the past six games.
The 6'2" centreman was acquired by the Panthers from the Buffalo Sabres in the off-season and has moved up and down the Florida line-up, continuing to contribute wherever placed.
He sits joint-second on the Panthers for points, fourth for goals and third for assists.
A first-round, second overall pick of the Sabres in 2014, Reinhart has played 501 regular season games over eight seasons scoring 342 points (151 goals, 191 assists).
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Reinhart has added to a strong centre core for the Panthers, and supplemented second top point-scorer in the NHL Jonathan Huberdeau (70 points) and Frank J. Selke Trophy winner last season Aleksander Barkov.
Florida, led by Brunette, who replaced Joel Quenneville as coach on 29th October, top the Atlantic Division and hold the second-best record of all NHL teams (35-10-5).
Brunette said about Reinhart: "He means so much. He's such a great piece to add. He's been up and down the top-three lines, and he's been bringing offense. Wherever he's playing, things happen. As a coach, that's a great gift to have. We're so lucky to have him."
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