Needless to say, no team in NHL history has ever found success relying entirely on one player. The Florida Panthers know this well—that’s why they get production from every skater. However, a former Stanley Cup champ recently named the tide-turning forward for the Panthers, and it’s not Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, or Sam Bennett.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to naming the best player on the Panthers. Or the best on any given category, for what it’s worth. The trio of Tkachuk, Marchand, and Bennett could take home almost every honor, but they could walk out empty-handed, as well. That’s how ridiculously stacked the Cats in Sunrise are.
After back-to-back Stanley Cups , it’s safe to say the NHL has taken notice of what’s brewing in South Florida. As the Panthers in the Sunshine State continues to run away with Lord Stanley, the league is officially on dynasty-watch alert.
Opposing head coaches have headaches planning for the Panthers. There are simply too many players they must be wary of. It’s nearly impossible to neutralize them, especially come playoff time. However, the Cats have been under duress some times before, yet they’ve somehow, someway walked away in one piece.
Sam Reinhart #13 of the Florida Panthers addresses the media following Game Five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on June 14, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
According to Stanley Cup champion and analyst Mike Rupp, the player who can shift momentum and steer Florida out of harm’s way is none other than Sam Reinhart—not Tkachuk, Marchand, or current Conn Smythe Trophy winner Bennett.
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“It’s funny because we’ve covered the finals for these guys for a while. And when they need something, the guy you think of that can change the game with one touch of the puck on his stick is Sam Reinhart. And that’s no knock [on the rest of the players],” Rupp said, via NHL Network.
“I think Aleksander Barkov is a better player. But the point is, [Reinhart] is a game changer. He knows to find that spot, whether it’s on the power play or that soft area on the ice, between coverage. And it just has to be there one second, and it’s in the back of the net. I think that’s the one thing that jumps out to me is when you need a big moment, I feel like Sam Reinhart is your guy.“
Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers takes questions from the media after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 18, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Stats don’t lie
In a team known for showing up and stepping up when the tide gets rough, Reinhart still manages to stand out. His production in recent crucial moments is proof of that. Just look at his game-winning goal in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, or his four-goal night in the cup-clinching Game 6 in 2025. When Florida needs a hero, Reinhart is often among the first to raise his hand.
Since arriving in Florida in 2021, Reinhart has unlocked a whole new level to his game. He now boasts 26 game-winning goals (30 including the postseason), 4 overtime winners, and 10 shorthanded goals. With the Panthers, Reinhart has recorded 324 regular-season points (160 goals and 164 assists), along with 56 postseason points (32 goals and 24 assists).
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It must be something in the water down in Sunrise—or the Cats simply saw potential where the rest of the NHL didn’t. Now, the league is paying the price, while Reinhart enjoys the perks of signing an eight-year, $69 million extension with the Panthers.
