Sam Reinhart landed in Buffalo in Labor Day weekend.
The veteran Sabres forward was able to get a week’s worth of informal skates in with his teammates.
Despite the fact that he had not signed a new contract over the summer, a hopeful Reinhart returned to Buffalo.
When the new contract never materialized, Reinhart has a decision to make. Would he remain in Buffalo while his teammates were on the ice during training camp? Or, would he fly home to his hometown to wait for the call that his contract negotiation was finally over?
Reinhart chose the latter.
When the Sabres reported for camp on September 13, a conflicted Reinhart winged home to Vancouver where he skates with the University of British Columbia hockey team.
Reinhart said the past 7-10 days of his life have been very trying. Reinhart said the last week away from the team has felt like two years away from the gang.
The 23 year old forward said being in Buffalo for two weeks prior to training camp help take the sting out of the blow caused by having to excuse himself from the group. Never did Reinhart think his contract negotiations would go to overtime. He thought Sabres GM Jason Botterill and his agent would have ironed out a new multi-year contract extension.
Buffalo is where Reinhart wants to be. He is a key cog in the re-tooled Buffalo Sabres machine. The organization views Reinhart’s a part of the solution not a part of the problem. Jason Botterill didn’t draft Samson Reinhart. Tim Murray did. Whereas Murray seemingly would have signed Reinhart to a 6-8 year contract extension tonstay in Buffalo, Botterill and Phil Housley still need to see more consistent production at even strength from Reinhart.
The long, protracted contract negotiation provides Reinhart a masters class in how the NHL first and foremost is a business where you can’t always get what you want in terms of term and dollars.
Thrilled to be back with his mates, Reinhart is now focused on helping his team out of its seven year playoff-free funk.
One day after he signed a two year bridge worth $7.3 million ($3.65M AAV) contract, Reinhart reflected on his recent emotional roller coaster ride.
One year? Two years? Eight years? Does it matter?
Reinhart said it does not matter.
I’m guessing Reinhart was hoping to cash in in a five or six year deal at $5.75M to $6M AAV.
Reinhart isn’t going there. Not today. He likes the company he is keeping and isn’t ready to leave Buffalo yet.
The Sabres got the better of the negotiations because Reinhart is still cost controlled for two more seasons and will still be a restricted free agent when his contract expires at age 25. It’s huge for the team that Jason Botterill didn’t have to buy a season or two of Reinhart’s unrestricted free agency.
Reinhart’s focus is still the same. He agreed on terms and got back to work on Thursday. The challenge now is finding a solution to all that has ailed his Sabres since being drafted second overall in 2014.
Thanks @Matt_Bove
The Sabres and Leafs play a home and home series this weekend. Buffalo will be in Toronto Friday night. The Sabres will host the Leafs on Saturday night.
Will Samson Reinhart play in either game?
Let’s just see what tomorrow brings.
****
Sabres GM Jason Botterill said Thursday he is hoping that injured winger Conor Sheary is healthy enough to play in the season opener on October 4 when Boston travels to Buffalo. Sheary suffered an injury in practice last week.
Defenseman Zach Bogosian has been given maintenance days since missing the Blue & Gold scrimmage on Sunday. Bogosian underwent successful hip surgery during the offseason and has proclaimed himself at 100%.
Defenseman Matt Hunwick will be out for a while with a neck injury.
Join the Discussion:
»