The Reinhart Extension Creates Complications for the Panthers
Also an update on the Battle of Florida
Welcome to the THW Florida Panthers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Panthers writers.
In today’s edition, we analyze how an extension for Sam Reinhart can be detrimental to other pieces on the Panther roster.
Next, we check in with the Battle of Florida rivalry with the Cats and the Tampa Bay Lightning
Lastly, we show why Florida can’t let the lack of playing time derail their second half of the season.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Panthers Extending Reinhart Would Create Salary Cap Casualties
February 2, 2024 by Joey Ganzi
The Florida Panthers roll into the All-Star Break on a fantastic run. They have won four straight games and have snagged points in eight of their last 10. Because of that, they sit in second place in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the NHL with a 31-14-4 record and 66 points. They trail the Boston Bruins for first in the division by five points.
A big key to their success has been the emergence of forward Sam Reinhart, who is having the best season of his career and the best since he was dealt to the Panthers three offseasons ago. However, he is currently in the last year of his current deal. All signs point to him returning with how well he’s played. However, it could come at a massive cost.
Checking in on the Lightning-Panthers Rivalry
February 5, 2024 by Joel Enns
The Tampa Bay Lightning got started in the 1992-93 season, but they would not have to wait long for some in-state competition as the Florida Panthers got their start in the 1993-94 season. While the early years of the rivalry failed to see any playoff matchups between the two franchises and the young clubs struggled to find their footing (save for the Panthers’ Stanley Cup Final appearance in their second season), those formative years helped shape the relationship between the Lightning and the Panthers for years to come.
As the two teams have really come into their own over the past decade and the sport has surged in popularity in the state, the matchup has become must-see TV. When looking at the standings, it’s hard not to get excited at the prospect of the Lightning and the Panthers going at it in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring. With this rivalry soaring to new heights and having the potential to become even more prominent, it’s worth taking a look at how the last few seasons have really put this rivalry on the map and what could come next.
Panthers Can’t Let All-Star Break to Slow Them Down
February 8, 2024 by Joey Ganzi
The NHL’s All-Star break has concluded, and the Florida Panthers roll into the second half of the season with a good lead in the standings. They currently sit second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 31-15-4 with 66 points and trail the Boston Bruins for first place by just five points.
One of the biggest concerns going into their next game post-All-Star break was the lack of playing time. Before their meeting against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, their last game was a 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Islanders on Jan. 27. That’s 10 days in between games, and they need to find a way to rise above it.