$69M worth Sam Reinhart finally opens up on decision to extend with Florida Panthers

Sam Reinhart just signed an extension with the Florida Panthers. The star hockey player was instrumental in returning them to the Stanley Cup Final and helping them get away with the trophy this time. He opted to run it back with the team rather than look for alternative options in free agency.

It was a lucrative deal at eight years and $69 million, but Reinhart could have landed more in free agency if a bidding war for his services broke out. Nevertheless, he returned to his old team and kept things simple.

“I feel like you guys haven’t interviewed me since I’ve done the deal. I’ve been incognito, which has been the plan," he said via The Hockey News. “(Signing elsewhere) was never an option for my wife and I, we wanted to be there through and through. It all worked out. We’re thrilled with the commitment on both sides.”

Reinhart, who scored the game-winner in Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers, praised Florida as the "best place in the world to play hockey." He also said they are "thrilled to be coming back for a long time.”

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Panthers GM speaks on Sam Reinhart's extension

Sam Reinhart was perhaps the most important player the Florida Panthers had last year. Stats aside, his goal in Game 7 secured the team's first-ever title. Had he not scored, they might have lost and suffered a historic collapse after winning the series' first three games.

Sam Reinhart re-upped with the Florida Panthers (Imagn)

Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito said via AP about the extension:

“Since coming to South Florida, Sam has demonstrated his ability to be a powerful scoring threat while maintaining strong defensive play. His versatility and value as a player are only outshined by his premier personality and work ethic, and we are pleased to have him continue on with our group.”

The Panthers avoided any issues by signing him the day before he became an unrestricted free agent.