Buffalo Sabres managed to avoid arbitration with center Sam Reinhart and goalie Linus Ullmark at the last moment. The team announced on Sunday that both Reinhart and Ullmark inked one-year deals that will keep them with the organization through the 2020/21 NHL season.
Reinhart got a new deal worth $5.2 million after putting up 50 points (22 goals and 28 assists) in 69 games he played during shortened 2019/20. He was set to have his arbitration hearing on Monday.
Ullmark, who will get $2.6 million next season, was set to appear in front of a panel of arbitrators on Tuesday. He was a rotation piece in the Sabres’ lineup last season, playing 34 games in which he posted a 17-14-3 record. The 27-year-old finished the campaign with a 2.69 goals-against average (GAA), and .915 save percentage.
This represents a big coup for Sabres, especially since the duo is expected to play a significant role for the team next season.
Sam Reinhart was the franchise’s second overall pick in 2014 and is currently ranked second in points for Sabres since 2015. The Canadian has 109 goals and 146 assists for a total of 255 points in 400 NHL games he played so far.
Linus Ullmark is projected to make a two-piece goalkeeping choice on Buffalo’s goal with Carter Hutton. Ullmark has been with Sabres since 2016 and has 97 games for the franchise.
