The Niagara Falls Review

Sabres sign forward Reinhart to two-year, $7.3-million pact

- JOHN WAWROW

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres can finally prepare for the start of the National Hockey League season with their full complement of forwards after signing Sam Reinhart to a twoyear, $7.3-million contract on Wednesday.

Reinhart was a restricted free agent and the team’s lone offseason holdout before reaching the deal after missing the first five days of training camp and two pre-season games.

The signing came during the Sabres’ day off and after Reinhart’s representa­tives were spotted attending Buffalo’s 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. Reinhart has spent much of the past month in Buffalo working out, including taking part in informal skates with his teammates.

The delay in reaching a deal was partly a result of Reinhart’s inconsiste­nt production during his three-plus NHL seasons since the Sabres selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 draft.

Reinhart’s inconsiste­ncies were apparent last year, when he managed seven goals and six assists in his first 44 games. He closed the season by scoring 18 goals and 19 assists in his final 38 games and finished with a career-best 25 goals and 50 points.

Overall, the 22-year-old has 65 goals and 140 points in

249 career games.

Reinhart can play both wing and centre. He’s projected to fill a role on one of Buffalo’s top two lines on a roster that underwent a significan­t overhaul this past summer. The changes came after the Sabres finished last in the standings for the third time in five years.

The Sabres made trades to acquire forwards Conor Sheary from Pittsburgh and Jeff Skinner from Carolina. They also dealt centre Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis for forwards Tage Thompson, who is entering his second NHL season, and veterans Vladimir Sobotka and Patrik Berglund.

Despite the changes, general manager Jason Botterill stressed Reinhart was expected to play a significan­t role on the team.

“He is part of the rebuild. That’s the bottom line,” Botterill said last week.

“It’s evident that he’s worked very hard this summer.”

One option is having Reinhart continue playing alongside firstline centre Jack Eichel, with rookie Casey Mittelstad­t centring the second line. The Sabres could also have Reinhart centre the second line.

The Sabres play a pre-season game at Toronto on Friday, then host the Leafs Saturday.

 ?? ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Sam Reinhart has 65 goals and 140 points in 249 career games for the Buffalo Sabres.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Sam Reinhart has 65 goals and 140 points in 249 career games for the Buffalo Sabres.

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