Atlantic Notes: Reinhart, Senators Draft Pick, Panthers

The Sabres have yet to hold any contract talks with pending restricted free agent forward Sam Reinhart, reports Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.  The 22-year-old caught fire in the second half of this season and as a result, he posted career highs in goals (25) and points (50) and will be set to earn a considerable raise on his next contract.

Speaking with reporters at a news conference, GM Jason Botterill acknowledged that their situation in the standings played a role in their decision to put off contract talks until after the year, a decision that might cost them a bit given the way Reinhart ended his season.  Botterill also confirmed that head coach Phil Housley will return for 2018-19 and that goaltender Linus Ullmark will be one of the Sabres’ goaltenders next season, meaning that at least one of Robin Lehner and Chad Johnson will be heading elsewhere.

More from the Atlantic:

• Among the many topics discussed at the Senators’ end-of-season press conference was the upcoming draft. GM Pierre Dorion told reporters, including Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, that the team intends to keep their first-round pick this year and not transfer it to Colorado.  As a result, the Avalanche will acquire Ottawa’s unprotected first-round selection for 2019.  Because they finished 30th overall in the standings, the Senators can pick no worse than fifth overall in June; the draft lottery is set to be held on Saturday, April 28th.
• The Panthers plan to be selective in unrestricted free agency, GM Dale Tallon told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Tallon wouldn’t go as far as saying that they won’t be buyers on the open market but he was quick to caution that they don’t want to take away playing and development time from their young core of players either.  Florida has just over $65MM committed to 19 players for next season per CapFriendly with no restricted free agents in need of big raises so they will have some wiggle room to work with if they can find the right fit.