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Cole Reinhardt Staked Claim to Panthers Roster

Forward Cole Reinhardt impressed with three preseason goals as Florida finalizes its lineup for the regular season.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Hockey

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a hockey player in a Florida Panthers jersey, mid-stride on the ice.
Forward Cole Reinhardt is vying for a roster spot with the Florida Panthers after scoring three preseason goals, including the winner against Tampa Bay. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the Florida Panthers prioritize young breakout players over established veterans for the final roster?

Forward Cole Reinhardt has emerged as a top contender for the Florida Panthers 23-man roster after a standout performance in the preseason. He scored three goals across recent exhibition games, including the winning goal in a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Why it matters

The Panthers coaching staff is currently prioritizing defensive reliability and physical play while evaluating depth options. Reinhardt has positioned himself for a spot on the main roster ahead of the season opener on September 29 against Carolina.

Reinhardt has tallied three preseason goals and currently maintains an average of 13.55 hits per 60 minutes. In the victory against Tampa Bay, goaltender Cooper Black stopped 14 of 16 shots while teammate Kirill Gerasimyuk made 11 saves on 12 shots.

The players

Cole Reinhardt

He is a professional hockey forward who was acquired by the Florida Panthers via waivers in March.

Cooper Black

He is a 6'8" goaltender projected to start for the Charlotte Checkers this season.

Florida Panthers

The professional hockey organization is currently evaluating its 23-man roster for the upcoming season.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The professional hockey franchise recently faced the Panthers in a 5-3 preseason contest.

The details

Reinhardt secured his recent winning goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning by stealing the puck from Ryan McDonagh and converting a breakaway against Andrei Vasilevskiy. His physical presence and scoring ability are currently being weighed against the team's requirements for the upcoming season.

Timeline

  1. March 2026: The Panthers acquired Cole Reinhardt off waivers.

  2. September 24, 2026: Florida defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 in a preseason game.

  3. September 26, 2026: The team is scheduled for a preseason finale against the Lightning in Sunrise.

  4. September 29, 2026: The Florida Panthers play their season opener against Carolina.

Season Trajectory

The intense competition for final roster spots directly impacts the team's depth and versatility heading into the regular season. This evaluation period is critical for setting the tone for the Panthers' tactical approach in the Atlantic Division.

Reinhardt is currently projected to secure a spot on the 23-man roster for the September 29 season opener. His high hit frequency suggests a physical role that could alter the team's third-line dynamics while other players recover from injuries.

The takeaway

Preseason performances are pivotal for depth players to demonstrate value to the coaching staff before official roster decisions are made. Consistent scoring and physical play remain the primary metrics for athletes hoping to transition from waiver acquisitions to full-time contributors.

Further reading

For more on roster developments and team news, visit Hockey.

Live Poll

Should the Florida Panthers prioritize young breakout players over established veterans for the final roster?