Sabres: Reinhart continues to prove his value despite team’s struggles

In another season of constant struggles for the Buffalo Sabres that has seen most of their top players not performing to the level they expected, Sam Reinhart is one of the few players who has been consistently productive. Heading into this season, he avoided arbitration and agreed to a 1-year contract for $5.2 million but remains looking for a long-term deal from Buffalo.

Since being drafted second overall in 2014, Reinhart has always produced a constant presence for Buffalo, earning a career-high 65 points two seasons ago. However, he has never been the team’s focal point due to playing with Jack Eichel his entire career. This is also due to the Sabres continuing to acquire veteran goal scorers that have caused him to be overshadowed throughout his career. However, the work he’s put in has positively contributed to his current production, rivaling career-highs, and is proving his worth on a struggling Sabres team.

Before last weekend’s pair of shutouts against Philadelphia, Reinhart earned six points (3+3) in a four-game point streak and is currently on a point-per-game rate over his last eight games. In 18 games played this season, Reinhart has 15 points (8+7) for a .83pt%. Despite alternating between playing on the first and second line thus far, he currently averages over 20 minutes of ice time per game this season.

Along with his success so far this year, his performance on a power play unit that is third in the league has helped make up ground for the team’s lack of offense at even strength. As a part of the power play, Reinhart has amassed nine points (5+4) on the power play, which has included playing alongside Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson for a majority of his shifts on the man advantage. As a result of the improved power play, Reinhart is on pace for his best statistical season in that category.

Despite the consistency he has displayed this season, his future on the Sabres remains uncertain, especially considering the salary cap situation due to the pandemic. Pending free agents on the roster, which includes Taylor Hall, who signed with the Sabres last offseason, and the hefty contracts on this roster, such as Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo on a nearly flat cap for the next few years, will make for tough decisions. However, Reinhart’s play should make re-signing him a priority for Kevyn Adams as he continues to build this roster.