What to do with Reinprecht?
by Donny Rivette on Jul 23, 2011 11:05 AM EDT
in Florida Panthers News & Analysis
Email
PrintAcquired from Phoenix just prior to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (for prospect Stefan Meyer), forward Steven Reinprecht quickly signed a three-year deal with former Florida GM Randy Sexton's suddenly porpoising Panthers. Considering the previous general manger had bailed for a high-profile coaching gig with Montreal only six weeks earlier, and the club being in the midst of several sales pitches (never a good omen for those poor saps in the hockey ops department needing to spend coin on legitimate talent), Reinprecht's decision to remain with a then-rudderless team who traded for his rights could be seen as inspired at the time - displaying some of that "character" quotient we've heard so much of lately - allowing for his smooth transition into a leadership role on the roster.
More after the jump...
Or maybe it was just the money, since massive overpayment was the (absolutely necessary) order of the summer for Sexton.
Whatever the case, "Reino" - who notched 41 points (14 goals) in 73 contests with the Coyotes only a year earlier - struggled to maintain consistency during his first season in Sunrise, totaling 38 points (16 goals) after a full slate of 82 games in 2009-10; one of only four Panthers to complete the schedule. Often flipping between center and the wings in a club-injury-ravaged campaign, he was called upon to win faceoffs (which happened 47.7% of the time), provide a stabilizing second or third-line offensive force, and - so it was hoped - a return to his glory days with Colorado (46 and 51 points, respectively, in far less than 82 matches per season between 2001 and '03.)
With Dale Tallon's arrival for the 2010-11 haul, Reino at least had secured a spot heading into the new season, possibly staring at a first-line scenario. The top-trio assignment never materialized but he did find limited success with fellow veterans Cory Stillman and Radek Dvorak at a time when no one else could find the net, ultimately picking up 10 points (4 goals) in 29 contests. Following a single assist during a seven-game stretch in late December - and the Panthers undoubtedly gearing up to head in a new direction - he was waived soon after (going unclaimed) and finally "loaned" to the German League's Adler Mannheim (18gp 4g-9-a 13p).
A gold medal winner with Canada at the 2003 IIHF World Hockey Championships, Reinprecht has one year remaining on the original three-season deal with a cap hit of $2.05M (per CapGeek). At 35, he's likely seen his final sheet of NHL ice, as his trade value - thanks to that bloated contract and a salary of $2.175M - has undeniably reached a low point; few clubs will be willing take on such a numbers-game, though several teams, namely the Islanders, Predators, and Avalanche, are still seeking the cap floor.
Florida management probably has only two options available to them outside of an almost unimaginable trade: another European league "loan", or burying the contract in San Antonio.
Any chance for another shot at the big club in September?
30 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
If Reinprecht stays healthy he can be a pretty decent player. I see him making the team.
by Alexander Calloway on Jul 23, 2011 11:13 AM EDT reply actions
I liked Reinprecht a lot and hope he can compete for a spot, if he doesn’t, buy out. Someone will need a veteran center.
by Chris S Roberts on Jul 23, 2011 2:20 PM EDT reply actions
I’m slightly biased, because I went to school with Stevie and I have family related to his wife, but I will say this – Stevie is a quality personality. I would bring him back and put him in San Antonio for two reasons. First, he’d be an emergency call-up with a lot of NHL experience if we get bit with a serious injury bug. I’d rather skate Reinprecht for 40 games than Scott Timmins. Second, I’d offer Reino the opportunity to contribute by helping with some of the younger players. Guys like Matthias, Repik, Kennedy could be upset with not making this roster. Reino could be a soothing veteran prescence and potentially improve the team – so I’d say if we’re going to pay him, use him in San Antonio where at least if we needed him, we could get him. I’d rather not be playing the 3rd line center from Cincinnati because we’re out of players in March.
All about the San Antonio option.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jul 23, 2011 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Just an fyi, he can be recalled from loan to Europe.
by MrOmnipotent on Jul 23, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn’t look like it. The relevant language of Section 50.9(g) of the CBA, which deals with re-entry waivers says:
To the extent the Player does require Waivers to be Loaned to a minor league affiliate, he cannot be Loaned or recalled without first clearing regular Waivers, and then cannot be Recalled to the NHL parent Club during the same League Year without also clearing a new Re-Entry Waiver procedure, pursuant to which the Player can be claimed by another NHL Club for fifty (50) percent of the contract’s remaining amounts to be paid, with the balance to be paid by and charged to the waiving NHL Club (both amounts tbe counted against each Club’s Upper Limit, Actual Club Salary and Averaged Club Salary, and counted against the Players’ Share); and
This makes it look like it only applies to loans to AHL teams. Anyone know an example? That would help clarify
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
No, I think he is subjected to normal waiver rules. I’m tryin to remember an example from a season or two ago, but its just not coming to me.
by MrOmnipotent on Jul 24, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Has Reino spent enough time in Europe? Thats how the Avs were able to sign Forsberg, because he’d been in Modo for a while.
by Chris S Roberts on Jul 24, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
That situation is governed by section 13.23 of the CBA:
In the event a professional or former professional Player plays in a league outside North America after the start of the NHL Regular Season, other than on Loan from his Club, he may thereafter play in the NHL during that Playing Season (including Playoffs) only if he has first either cleared or been obtained via Waivers. For the balance of the Playing Season, any such Player who has been obtained via Waivers may be Traded or Loaned only after again clearing Waivers or through Waiver claim.
Forsberg wasn’t playing for anyone before he signed his contract with the Avalanche and that’s why he wasn’t required to pass through waivers. Evgeni Nabokov was playing in another league and therefore did.
Reino is a completely different case from either, though, because he was loaned by the Panthers to a German team last year and he still has a year on his contract. Those other guys were UFAs and signed contracts mid-season.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
by John Beatty on Jul 24, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah. the only guys I can think of who have come back over mid-season were signed right from a European league, not loaned, which falls under a different rule.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
ala Nabokov?
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jul 24, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Nabokov, Kyle Wellwood, Marek Svatos…
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Nah, there was someone, I forget who, that was a role player for a team that had a majority of their main roster on IR at the same time, a few season back, and they recalled someone from Europe. I play in a super deep fantasy league, that regularly is using AHL call-ups, and I remember this guy coming back from Europe.
Just an FYI, the league is 18 teams, 30 players per team, and done through Yahoo. We have 23 scoring stats, with 9 being goalie stats and a required 4 goalie starts a week. Sounds easy, but with 18 teams, you’re not guaranteed to have your starts, unless you have manage to have two tandems. Everyone is active, making daily roster moves. Some wait up for Yahoo to reset the rosters at midnight Pacific time. League is about ten years old now.
by MrOmnipotent on Jul 25, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Philip Larsen? The Stars recalled him from the Swedish Elite League two seasons ago when they had a bunch of guys hurt. He’s a bad test case because he was young enough and had played few enough games that he wasn’t waiver-eligible.
He’s also the only one I could find.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Nah, there was someone else. A more recognizable North American name. But all the fantasy hockey seasons are a blur to me now I’ve been doing it so long. For a while, its the only thing that kept me passionate about hockey. Thankfully, things have changed in Pantherland, or so I hope, but I’m still extremely, cautiously optimistic.
by MrOmnipotent on Jul 25, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to think that since they didn’t buy him out that they’ve talked to him about the season and are giving him the chance to make the squad with the new coach. He went to Europe because he didn’t want to go to the AHL, but then there’s a different situation with our AHL squad this year and he may be more open to it if that’s what management is thinking.
Or maybe last year was bad luck and he locks up a spot on the third or fourth line.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Between Reino, Carter, Goc and Mattias there is going to be some major jousting for 3rd and 4th line center. IMO I think Reino has 3rd line written all over him if Goc doesn’t impress.
by Chris S Roberts on Jul 24, 2011 11:14 AM EDT reply actions
Goc will definitely make it (unless Grabner-esqe in training camp), whether he gets 3rd or 4th line is dependent on if Reinprecht shows up.
by Chris S Roberts on Jul 24, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Goc might walk away with second line duty. Don’t just hand that to Santorelli. Only guaranteed spot on the depth chart is Weiss as first line center, right now.
by MrOmnipotent on Jul 25, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Litter Box Cats
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
