Florida Panthers use tax advantage to sign top free agent ahead of deadline

Sam Reinhart, was set to be an unrestricted free agent if he was unsigned at noon today. While this is the deadline to sign a contract, the Panthers also had a deadline of midnight last night to offer the forward an 8-year deal. After midnight Reinhart would only be eligible for a 7-year deal.

Before midnight rumors circulated that went an agreement had been reached between the two sides. Several insiders have since confirmed this morning that an agreement was negotiated and presented prior to midnight.

Reinhart, 28, played in all 82 games for the Florida Panthers last season, setting career-highs in goals and points. The Vancouver native had 57 goals and 37 assists, 31 penalty minutes and wasa plus-29 in the regular season. He followed that up with 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in the playoffs, helping the Panthers win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

This deal comes in as a significant underpay and appears to highlights the advantage teams like the Florida Panthers have due to their locations and tax advantages.

Source: Blade of Steel
Sam Reinhart future in Florida now known