Panthers’ Sam Reinhart on coach Paul Maurice: ‘He’s the best motivator that I’ve ever played for’

As the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers prepare to meet for the second consecutive year in the Stanley Cup Final, Sam Reinhart reflected on Panthers’ Head Coach Paul Maurice during media day on Tuesday.

“He’s incredible. He’s the best motivator that I’ve ever played for,” Reinhart said. “His pregame speeches and just knowing when to fire us up, when to calm us down. His game plans, there’s a reason why he’s a world-class coach.

“He’s certainly the best coach I’ve ever had, and he’s a big reason why our team’s had so much success,” he continued.

Reinhart has blossomed as a player since joining the Panthers ahead of the 2021-22 season. During his four years in Sunrise, the 29-year-old has 160 goals and 164 assists for 324 points in 321 regular-season games.Reinhart has also been part of all three of Florida’s last four Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. In 70 games, he’s scored 25 goals and 21 assists for 46 points.

As for Maurice, a veteran coach of more than 2,000 combined regular season and playoff games, it looks like he’s found his sweet spot with the Panthers. In three seasons, the 58-year-old has a 141-87-18 record in the regular season, along with a 41-21 mark in the playoffs. Maurice has led Florida to three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances.

Reinhart went on to joke with reporters about how some of Maurice’s best speeches come with there’s no cameras.

“I probably can’t repeat some of the speeches that he gives us, and he saves the really good ones for when the cameras aren’t around,” he said.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is Thursday night in Edmonton. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. MST.