January 5, 2024 | 7:40pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
ALL QUIET ON MONTOUR, REINHART CONTRACT TALKS
(Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Brandon Montour, defenceman (left), and Sam Reinhart, forward (right)
The Florida Panthers have two significant players on expiring contracts who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents July 1, and as important All-Star Sam Reinhart and defenceman Brandon Montour are to their club, it appears there hasn’t been any movement on extensions.
During Friday’s edition of “NHL Tonight” on NHL Network, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported “all’s quiet” between the Panthers and both Reinhart and Montour’s camps, at the moment.
“This is another scenario where things really haven’t gotten going between the Florida Panthers and Reinhart’s camp,” Pagnotta said. “As of now, nothing is really going on.
“The Panthers eventually are going to reach out to (to Reinhart’s agent) try to get an understanding as to what the demands are, what he’s looking for on what would eventually and inevitably be a long-term deal.”
Earlier in the season, contract discussions between the Panthers and Montour were believed to have progressed, but talks have since slowed down and a deal is not yet imminent.
“There was some traction at the beginning of the season while he was rehabbing from injury, another situation, though now, where it sounds like it’s quiet on that front,” Pagnotta said, regarding Montour.
Pagnotta also noted that there does not appear to be a rush from either player to get a deal done, as the Panthers are focused on their season and competing for a chance to return to the Stanley Cup Final.
“These are two key guys, both Montour and Reinhart, that are eventually going to need new deals,” Pagnotta said. “This team is focused on their push for a return to the Stanley Cup Final. But two guys that Florida will eventually get to, we’re just not there yet.”
Reinhart, 28, currently sits third in the NHL in goals (25) and ninth in the league in points (47). The 29-year-old Montour has one goal and seven assists in 22 games, to date.