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Sabres' Sam Reinhart rejuvenated as he reports to training camp

Sabres' Reinhart returns to the ice with new deal

By: Matt Bove

Posted at 4:18 PM, Sep 20, 2018

and last updated 2018-09-20 16:18:15-04

At long last, Sam Reinhart has reported to training camp. On Thursday he hit the ice with the rest of his teammates after signing a new two-year deal on Wednesday.

BAH GAWD, that's Sam Reinhart music. He's skating on a line with Rodrigues and Berglund at practice, FWIW #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/q5ZC6QAspU
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 20, 2018

"I am just thrilled to be back around the guys because anytime they are all here and you are not it is not an easy situation to be in," Reinhart said. "So, obviously I kept in touch with all the guys over the week and a half. At the time, it seemed like two years being away but now it seems like two days so thrilled to be back.”

Reinhart was asked about the specifics of the deal and if he feels a two-year deal shows he still has more to prove #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/pQK2Bb7Mqh
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 20, 2018

For months, Reinhart and Sabres GM Jason Botterill insisted they were confident a new deal would get done. They admitted negotiations lasted longer than the two sides would have liked but now none of that matters.

"At the end of the day we all wanted Sam as part of our group her," Botterill said Thursday. "Sometimes it takes a little bit longer to go through the entire process. But from day one it has been evident that Sam wants to be part of our solution here in Buffalo and today was a great day to see him back on the ice."

In his first official skate with the team, Reinhart worked on a line with Evan Rodrigues and Patrik Berglund. After practice he said he felt pretty good and his coach Phil Housley agreed.

“I was really pleased with his pace and execution," Housley added. "We will see where it carries on but I am just really happy that he is back and back part of our team."

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