Team Canada forward Sam Reinhart facing criticism after quiet Olympic start

While the Canadian squad has looked powerful through the preliminary round, one high profile forward is beginning to draw criticism for his limited offensive production: Sam Reinhart.

The Florida Panthers winger, who has been deployed on Canada’s top power play unit throughout the tournament, has yet to score a goal.

Through the first few games, Reinhart has recorded just one point, an assist that came during the win over France.

For a player known as one of the NHL’s most consistent finishers, that stat line has raised eyebrows.

Reinhart is not just a depth forward. He is coming off multiple strong NHL seasons and has built a reputation as a reliable scorer, particularly with the man advantage.

His hockey IQ, net front presence and ability to find open space typically make him a dangerous weapon on the power play.

That is precisely why the current drought stands out.

Expectations are naturally high for Sam Reinhart with Team Canada

Twelve different Canadian players have already scored at least once in the tournament.

Reinhart, despite averaging roughly 14 minutes over the past two games and seeing steady power play time, remains without a goal.

He has registered five total shots so far, with three coming in the game against France.

For some observers, the concern is not just the numbers. When nearly every linemate around you is producing, the spotlight naturally shifts.

The discussion has now shifted to whether Team Canada’s coaching staff should consider tweaking the power play units.

It is not a drastic situation, but in a short tournament format, adjustments often happen quickly.

That said, experience matters.

Reinhart has played in high pressure games before, including international competition and deep NHL playoff runs.

He has a track record of responding when the stakes rise. Many within the hockey community believe it may simply be a matter of timing before he finds his rhythm.

For now, Canada continues to win convincingly.

But as the knockout rounds approach, attention to detail becomes sharper and individual performances face greater scrutiny.

Reinhart still has time to shift the narrative. In tournaments like this, momentum can change with a single goal.