Bleacher Report views LA Kings as best fit for Sabres’ Sam Reinhart

Two things we know heading into the offseason. The Sabres are likely looking at another rebuild, and the LA Kings will make some offseason moves. In regards to Buffalo, notable exit interviews from Jack Eichel, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Sam Reinhart were all critical of the organization’s direction.

Eichel, of course, has been linked to the Kings both before the trade deadline and within the last week. The 24-year-old star center will undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc, a topic he felt that he and the Sabres were at a “disconnect.”

If the Kings are looking for help along the blue line, Ristolainen could make some sense, but the 26-year-old would likely require Sean Walker to be traded in the offseason. He’s also under contract for just one more season before becoming an unrestricted free agent, so there is a considerable amount of risk in him being a one-year rental.

We said it a couple of weeks ago, but perhaps Sam Reinhart is the man the LA Kings should be pursuing. He’s a 25-year-old forward that can play both the wing and at center. He also led the Sabres with 40 points this past season.

One media outlet sees the LA Kings as the best landing spot for Sam Reinhart.

Reinhart would be a more affordable addition to the Kings’ cap payroll than Eichel’s $10 million annual average value over the next five seasons. He also wouldn’t cost as much in terms of draft picks and prospects. The savings could be put toward adding a scoring forward or a top-four defenseman.Given Reinhart’s reluctance to play for a rebuilding club in Buffalo, Blake would have to assure him that the Kings are close to becoming a perennial playoff contender. Still, their roster potential, cap space, prospect depth and draft picks should make them the best trade partner for the Sabres. While they’re well down the coast from western Canada, they’re much closer than Reinhart’s current location. – Bleacher Report/Richardson

As noted above, Reinhart would have to be part of a couple of moves this summer for general manager Rob Blake. The Kings would undoubtedly have more flexibility to make the Reinhart deal and then some versus any potential Jack Eichel trade.

He’s an asset on the powerplay, and he likes to shoot the puck. Reinhart will also be a restricted free agent after the 2021-2022 season, so there is a potential for him to be in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. Not much more you can ask for.