26CornerBlitz
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Black Book
Chris posted outstanding numbers this season on a dominant line at Cranbrook Kingswood. He displays good skill and skating ability and can both create and finish scoring opportunities. The biggest question is whether or not he can do this on a bigger stage. He will get the opportunity to do this as he is slated to join Boston College in September 2015 and in the mean time has his rights held by the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. -
Black Book
Max is a re-entry player for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He is a very flashy skilled player. He has excellent speed and one on one moves. He can beat defenders and goaltenders at will. He handles the puck very well and is capable of creating plays for both his linemates and himself. He loves using his speed to push the pace of the game and make plays as many players at his level struggle to keep up with him. When he isn’t distributing the puck among his linemates, he displays a hard accurate shot.The biggest concern for him moving forward would be improvements to his defensive game. He doesn’t really take care of his own end and will need to improve his two-way contributions. Max is slated to join Brown University in September 2014.
Max Willman - scrum (6/28/14) <2:49>
Max Willman met with reporters in Philadelphia after being drafted by Buffalo.ESPN Boston blog post on Willman's selection and quotes from his coach
Williston-Northampton head coach Derek Cunha presented Willman with the opportunity to play a post-grad year at his school and entry into some prestigious summer showcase events, including the Beantown Classic.“One thing he did was he made the most of every opportunity along the way,” Cunha said. “Starting with summer showcases last summer, midget hockey in the fall and then with us during the prep season, he got better and better.”
"He can beat defensemen one-on-one, shoot and score from the perimeter or bowl his way towards the net," said Cunha. "He really dictates the play. He forces the play and makes defensemen worried about him."
LW Max Willman from Williston-Northampton High School (116th): “He’s a 6-footer, crafty with a good stick and good hands. He’s a good player. The question with him is what he’s going to be if he can’t put up big offense at the next level. He’s not really barking. He’s not really man.” -
Black Book
Listed 26th on NHL Central Scouting’s final draft ranking. Martin is not a flashy player, he’s content to play a two-way game by focusing on his own end and springing teammates on odd-man rushes with tape-to-tape passes when he has the puck. Martin is a smooth-skating defender with overall good mobility. For being such a smooth skater, he doesn’t generate as much power as hoped with his stride. As he matures, he’ll develop that portion of his skating.Offensively, Martin has made most of his contributions by using good vision and passing skills to set up teammates. He has also been able to put pucks on net with his above average shot. Defensively, he’s had success when he’s able to close gaps quickly when playing one-on-one situations. Unfortunately, he doesn’t always recognize quickly enough of when to press and close gaps until it is sometimes too late.
When Martin is at his best, he uses an active stick to cause turnovers and then he quickly transitions the puck forward with hard, efficient passes. Martin moves well laterally and this allows him to keep the play to the outside. Very rarely does Martin give the forward the middle of the ice. He places himself in good defensive positions along the boards and in the corners and uses his size and stick to gain possession of the puck. When handling the puck in his defensive zone Martin is usually calm and relaxed.
While Martin has good size, he needs to gain much more strength, as he actually plays smaller than his size due to his inability to push opponents off the puck. While there are things to like about Martin, he’s drifted a bit into a becoming a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none type player. How does he project at the next level? As a pro, he lacks the awareness to be a powerplay guy and he’s not good enough to be a shutdown defender. He’s also not overly physical. At this time, Martin is likely a bottom-pairing player as he looks to round out his game, but could develop into something more if he can clean up the defensive aspect of his game. His biggest area of concern is his inconsistent play where he can look like a top 10 first round prospect one shift then struggle to make any positive contributions the next.
ISS
An agile skater with good puck skills and strong offensive vision and instincts, Martin had a very up and down season. He found himself out of situations that he seemed in line to earn over the year before due to the arrival of Julius Honka. There is a lot to work with with Martin but he struggled to put it all together consistently throughout the year. When he’s on he can be a strong contributor in all three zones. Defensively he understands the mechanics of boxing out, containing the middle lanes and fishing out pucks from battles. Offensively, he has a good shot, can shake opponents with quick lateral moves and skate the puck well on his own.McKeen's
Formed one of the better defence tandems in the WHL this season partnered with fellow NHL draft eligible defenseman Julius Honka.. a robust and eager performer who wants to be involved at both ends .. pro-active supporting the puck and getting into positions to provide an outlet .. prides himself on seeing and attacking offensive opportunities .. pinching aggressively with good vision to spot open passing lanes .. still needs to work on overall consistency making mistakes but seeming to persevere due to an unwavering work ethic and strong follow up instincts .. struggles with inconsistent passing, missing the mark on routine plays not providing high-end finesse skills .. skating has progressed substantially, and is notably stronger and more agile .. more work needed on transition footwork and turning speed while backing up and defending the rush .. defensive reactions are not second nature compounding his problems if he makes a mistake and gets caught running around .. employing a good set of tools to draw from but factors to be a decent number #4 cut in the same mould as a Brayden Coburn .. improvement required on his vision and on-ice awareness but will provide a solid depth option.FC
SCOUTING REPORT: A dependable two-way blueliner. His skating is superb. He shows dynamic footwork to go along with an effortless stride. He is a pass-first transition player, but can also rush the puck when given the space to do so. Very good hands allow him to make quick adjustments and maintain possession against the forecheck. His smarts are his most impressive attribute as he seems to never panic. Martin never makes any truly dominant plays, but his calming presence and reliability in distributing the puck is phenomenal. He seems to find acutely precise and quietly spectacular ways to get the puck to his teammates, whether it is making a couple nimble steps to get around opponents or simply accelerating to quickly change the pace. It may not always stick out, but these plays are some of what makes him a very good pro prospect. Martin can be a little inconsistent in the defensive zone. He is able to keep close gaps because of his skating ability, but lacks the strength to keep guys in check. He does a good job of occasionally throwing a check and pinning the guy to the boards to briefly take him out of the play. We would like to see him bulk up so he doesn’t have to rely as much on his stick to win battles. Keeps good position in his own zone.THN
DEFENSEMEN AT THIS AGE often have to work on their game in their own end and Martin is no exception. He makes a good first pass and can sometimes skate his way out of trouble with his Quickness, but needs to improve his defensive play. "He could certainly be more physical, but there are a lot of D at that age who aren't ready to play that role," said one scout. That could come in the next couple of years of junior."Martin's first-pass ability has been his calling card so far and intrigues scouts the most. The other elements of his game are somewhat lacking, and there is concern about how he reacts when things break down. "I don't think he shows the mental toughness to pull himself out of bad plays," said another scout. "Bad plays often lead to prolonged lower-level plays for him. Where some guys can shake it off and come out the next shift like nothing happened, often one bad shift follows another, and that morphs into slumps."
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McKeen's
Another tall goalie hailing from the Brynas system which produced Jakob Markstrom, selected 31st overall by Florida in `08 .. led the Brynas J20 Elit team to the semi-finals in the playoffs (5-2, 2.36, .892 Sv%), and was summoned to the senior team for nine games, appearing in his first four SHL games (2-2, 2.96, .914 Sv%) .. participated as a non-playing, third-stringer at the 2014 U20 World Championships, the second youngest player selected to the team .. helped his country to a fifthplace finish at the 2013 U18 Worlds, posting a 2-2 record (2.23, .931 Sv%) .. a poised and competitive butterfly goalie with excellent quickness and athleticism .. reads the play well, demonstrating a strong feel for the flow of a game .. covers plenty of net utilizing his large 6-foot-4 frame .. agile on his feet, moves around his crease swiftly - with movements being calm and controlled .. plays a more stay-at-home style - protecting the middle of the net - and playing in the paint for the most part .. tough to beat down low as he transitions to his butterfly fluently - sealing off the ice effectively with his long legs .. quick to react and get into his stance - without any extraneous movements once set .. must guard against dropping too early and exposing the upper portions of his net.FC
SCOUTING REPORT: Big butterfly goalie who covers a lot of net naturally. He is very active despite staying in solid position in net. Very quick reactions and reflexes, and mixes good technical abilities with a good sense for the play. Can be prone to leaving too many rebounds, but usually handles and swallows up the majority of shots well. Has good athleticism and reads the developing play well. He never gives up on the play and battles to keep the puck out of his net. Gets himself into strong position, plays his angles and while he does not come out too far to challenge the shooter, he doesn’t have to due to his impressive size. Has a decent glove hand that he can really flash from time to time, and a blocker that he holds in good position and uses to deflect the puck to the corner well. Has played a couple games and looked strong in the men’s Swedish Hockey League. -
Black Book
Karabáček was the 18th overall pick in last year’s CHL Import Draft. The Czech forward played one season in Austria with the EC Red Bull Salzburg before joining the Olympiques. In his first season in the QMJHL, the Prague native was able to make a considerable impact with his team and also played for his country at the recent U-18 World Championships in Finland. Karabáček finished the season with 21 goals and 47 points, also finding a lot of success in the first round of the playoffs against Cape-Breton with 12 points in 9 games.He’s a strong skater with great explosion and bursts of speed, which makes him tough to handle off the rush and he’s dangerous when he tries to beat defensemen wide. He has great top speed that he can reach quickly. We saw great amounts of improvement with his skating since the beginning of the year. Overall, his agility is decent, but he’s more of a North-South skater than East-West.
Karabáček is a very streaky player. When he’s on, he can be dominant, using his speed and quick release on his wrist shot, getting his nose dirty as well in front of the net. When his game is off, you don’t see a lot out of him, he can be invisible on the ice, lacks involvement and plays a soft game. Likes his puck protection along the wall and has a good reach; this helps him to shield defenders away and he’s effective cycling the puck with his line. He’s good at finding space in the offensive zone to get open or make room for himself. Without the puck, Karabáček won’t put his team in trouble. He’s smart and gets involved in the defensive zone.
ISS
Karabacek took some time to adjust to the NA game, but he got better with every viewing. This is shown in his point totals in the regular season vs his play-off performance. In comparision to his regular season numbers below, he had 6 goals and 6 assist in just 9 games. What jumps out first about Karabaceks game is his ability to find open ice in the offensive zone and intriguing offensive skill-set. The biggest inprovement in his game was his willingness to compete for loose pucks and his battle level which was non-existent in the first part of the year. That said, there is still work he needs to do to improve his 200 foot game and physical play. Consistency needs attention, a little more urgency to his game.McKeen's
Marked a steady progression this year acclimatizing to North American play culminating in a highly productive postseason (was a stand-out against Halifax in the second round) before joining Team Czech and helping them capture a silver medal at the World U18 Championships .. modest in size (6’0, 195) he is an extremely powerful player whose strength is showcased in loose puck battles .. aggressively engages along the boards and makes solid offensive plays after winning the puck .. agile in his turns deploying better than average balance - his straight ahead speed lacks explosiveness and does not win enough loose puck races .. puck control is among the league’s best as he constantly has his head up to survey options .. passes are generally kept short, electing for the safe percentage play .. does an excellent job of sneaking into open areas to utilize his most potent weapon - a quick wrist shot which he can fire with little to no warning ..his defensive game is still a work in progress but he made strides throughout the year .. could surprise at the NHL level with his offensive contributions if upgrades to his skating and consistency come along.FC
SCOUTING REPORT: Karabacek is an above-average skater with good acceleration. He has quick feet and always keeps them moves. Is pretty solid on his skates, and is hard to push off the puck. He protects the puck really well and works hard to get that puck back if he gets it stripped. He has good vision with good playmaking skills, and can move the puck quickly on the cycle, down low or along the half wall on the power play. He is also solid at making touch passes, give and goes and soft saucer passes as he enters the zone. He will elevate his play in important games and when he does, he’s dominant; tiring for his opponent to play against. He’s pretty physical, finishes his checks and isn’t scared of taking a hit to make a play. His compete level is off the charts one game and then inconsistent the next. His progression was constant all season long, and his confidence level is night and day from the beginning of the season. He has a pretty good wrist shot with a good release. But he needs to use it more often to become even more effective. He supports his teammates well in the offensive zone and will cover for his defensemen in some instances too. Really brought his game up a level during the Q playoffs and leading into the U18s. -
Black Book
There are a lot of things to like about Cornel as a prospect but there are consistent glaring concerns as well. On the positive, Cornel is an excellent skater for a 6’2” forward. He rushes the puck up ice with great speed and can take it end to end at times. He will also use this skating ability on the backcheck too. He showed flashes of puck skills and puck handling ability but lost control of the puck at times as well. He is more of a playmaker than a scorer and has good vision in the offensive zone to make creative, smart passes. He doesn’t have a lot of power in his shot but gets it off with pretty good accuracy. Despite lacking any physical element in his game, Cornel is capable of protecting the puck well and will drive the net.One of the biggest concerns about Cornel is his lack of willingness to go to the dirty areas and battle for pucks. While he has good skill to be an offensive contributor at the junior level, we don’t see him being able to produce enough to play a role in the NHL. Combined with a lack of physicality or strong forechecking ability he isn’t really suited for a bottom six role. He has talent but our draft ranking for him incorporates his very soft play.
ISS
Scouting Report: Crafty offensive player with slick passing skills and offensive instincts. A natural play-maker with excellent vision and able to find his teammates through seams in the ice, even under pressure. Always in good position on both sides of the puck. Has very good on-ice offensive abilities and has shown to be a smart player who is always looking for openings on the ice. Underrated scoring ability. He needs to get stronger to compete at the pro level, would be the perfect project player, if you could get his effort level to match his high hockey IQ he could be a tremendous top 6 pro player.McKeen's
Laboured through the first half of the season but then a move to the left side following the acquisition of Hunter Garlent presented new life to the former 3rd overall selection of the 2013 OHL draft .. highly intuitive offensive minded player who is cunning with the puck and lethal in open ice .. shifty and athletic skating stride but not overly explosive .. very light on his edges displaying elusiveness and is able to twist and turn off players in tight quarters with the puck .. passing skills set him apart showcasing outstanding vision in his intelligent and insightful possession game .. considered to have ‘soft’ skill at the start of the season, Cornell did a valiant job of identifying his weaknesses and addressing them throughout the year - particularly, in his lack of defensive play and unwillingness to compete along the boards .. added a layer of assertiveness to his game and showed a renewed commitment to team defence at times doing all the heavy lifting on his line with Garlent and Ritchie .. possesses a good frame and the foundation to easily put on an additional 25-35 pounds…very projectable skills and a player whose stock was trending upwards following a successful regular season finish and strong playoff performance.FC
STRENGTHS: Cornel is a two-way center with very impressive mobility. He is a very fast skater with an upright skating style who reaches top speed in a matter of a couple short strides. He generates a lot of power in his first few steps, and is fairly strong on his skates and pivots very well. His speed increases when he is carrying the puck and he uses his speed and good stickhandling to enter the zone with ease. He has great control of the puck as he skates through traffic. Cornel is very strong on the puck and protects it well; he knows when to cut one way or another and be able to get around opponents to get to the net or pass the puck off. He generates a lot of scoring chances and, without the puck, consistently gets to a position to score. Cornel is a very smart center who showed his ability to have an impact in all three zones. He shows good awareness and anticipation. Cornel does a lot of little things that make big differences during the course of a game. He pressures hard on the forecheck and forces defenders to give up the puck. He possesses a high compete level and has a quick snap shot. Cornel doesn’t give up on plays around net and has a very powerful wrist shot. When he carries the puck, he kicks his speed into another gear. Cornel is a playmaking center. He shows great passing skills. He makes the players around him better with his ability to dish the puck. Cornel anticipates where teammates will be and gets them the puck. He showed he is responsible in his own zone. He sees the game well, and is rarely caught out of position. Cornel continually supported his d-men down low, givingthem simple ways out of jams.WEAKNESSES: While it might seem like there is not a lot to improve in his game, Cornel is seen as a prospect with limited offensive upside. He looks like someone who could fill a Stephen Weiss role, the one that was with Florida not Detroit, adding secondary scoring and playing a strong all-round game, but not quite first-line center output. Lacks physical bite. He offers support to his teammates along the wall, but does not engage in physical play often. Cornel doesn’t always engage in play and can go through funks where he is invisible, cruising up and down the ice, but not doing very much to impact the contest. Cornel also has work to do in the faceoff circle.
THN
SOME SCOUTS WERE SURPRISED the Canadian under 18 team didn't choose Cornel since he had such a productive season in Peterborough, though projections for him are all over the map. One scout said he would go to Peterborough games specifically to watch higher profile teammate Nick Ritchie and come away with a better impression of Cornel. Another scout said playing with Ritchie masked a number of Cornel's deficiencies, one of which is consistency. "He's like that pretty girlfriend you can't stand because she drives you nuts," said one scout. "You break up with her and then you ask, 'Why did I do that?' Then you get back together and you say, 'Oh, this is why.'" Scouts agree, though, when Cornel is on his game, he can be difficult to stop, and they saw enough of those games to be intrigued by the possibilities. "But I'm not sure if that compete and accountability come naturally to him," said another scout. -
Black Book
Lemieux is definitely his father’s son. He’s the type of player that every team needs, and opponents hate to play against. He’ll take a hit to make a play, and will dish out more than his fair share of punishment. He always finishes his checks, and more often than not he’ll give a little more after the whistle. Almost every game he seems to get under his opponent’s skin. He’s more than a super pest, though. He’s excellent around the net. Lemieux has a good pair of hands, and can not only finish in tight, but he can deflect pucks, and score that way, too. He has a nose for the net, and is effective when he sets up shop there, especially on the powerplay. He also has a pro shot, which makes him dangerous from a distance as well. He’s a smart player, and can make decisions quickly. Lemieux’s skating has improved a ton over the last year or so. He can now outskate opposing players to loose pucks, etc. His skating ability allows him to take defenders wide with speed before making a power move towards the net. He wins a lot of puck battles, and is good cycling the puck as well as grinding along the boards. He plays on the top powerplay unit, and was used killing penalties as well. There’s room for improvement in the defensive zone, but for the most part he’s pretty responsible in his own end.ISS
Scouting Report:Brendan Lemieux is the son of ex NHL star Claude Lemieux. The son plays a very similar style of play as his father did during his long NHL career. Combative two-way forward that loves to get involved physically and plays well on both sides of the puck. A conscientious defensive player that is an asset on the penalty kill thanks to the tenacious style in which he plays. A good body-checker that loves to go for the big hit and mix it up physically. Lemieux is a stout and sturdy power forward with average height, but because of his filled-in frame, is a step ahead of most players in his development. Lemieux is the prototypical player who is tough to play against. He plays hard and has the willingness to get involved in all of the tough areas of the ice.McKeen's
A chip off the old block, Brendan plays much like his father Claude, a decorated 20-year NHL pro, with an innate ability to rattle the opposition .. plays on the edge but can take unnecessary and costly penalties adding an element of discipline would benefit his game ..hampered by a wavering work ethic and does not always engage in a game from start to finish .. at his best when he is a bull down low displaying both power and skill that make him difficult to handle .. displays a tenacious net drive and will park himself in the slot .. backed by a deep bow legged skating style, he is quicker moving laterally and diagonally than he is straight ahead .. his sturdy balance makes him extremely difficult to knock off stride .. stopping on pucks would assist in his defensive game as he tends to coast into plays .. needs coaching on how to play away from the puck as he was routinely the last man back into the zone .. Lemieux’s game offers promising components and with added maturity, both on and off the ice, and a more diligent approach to commitment in all three zones he will maximize his potential.FC
SCOUTING REPORT: Lemieux is a solid skater, but it takes him a few strides to get up to speed. He works hard and what he lacks in speed, he makes up for in size and determination. He has the ability to pull away from players when in possession of the puck and is very agile. He pivots well, and is powerful in stops and starts. He dishes accurate, crisp passes and has good hands. He controls the puck with ease and the timing of his passes are near perfect. Has a very effective shot that he can get off in tight spaces. He uses his size to protect the puck well, and does not back down from a fight. He is a hard-nosed player who finds a way to always get to the net. Maturity is almost there but, at times loses his cool and doesn’t focus on the play at hand. He plays with an edge and is a real agitator, which can be costly at times. He is solid, allowing him to take hits along the wall. Even after a long shift, he does not quit and drives the net for scoring chances. He is one of the first back on the backcheck and his puck possession is incredible. He plays in all situations and delivers monstrous checks when the time is right. Covers his check in the defensive zone well and is great at removing players from the puck.THN
LEMIEUX IS ONE OF many players with hockey bloodlines in the draft. Whether he is a carbon copy of his dad, four-time Cup winner Claude, depends on who gives the opinion. "Claude," said one scout when asked to describe the younger Lemieux. "As much as people would like to compare, he's not his dad," said another. Most scouts were puzzled Lemieux was not added to Canada's team for the the under-18s, but his game might not translate to the international level. Like his father, Brendan has good offensive instincts to go with his belligerence. He's a good skater with a hard shot and a quick release. But not everyone is sold on his toughness. "It's much less substance and much more show," said another scout. "That said, when he has the advantage, he takes advantage of you. Guys don't ike playing against guys who do that and he does that. I just think the physical game is perceived to a much higher level than it act ually is." -
Demko.....Good pick for Vancouver
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26CornerBlitz, thanks for posting those summaries. I'm happy to see there's some agreement among them that Reinhart can influence the game tempo. The Sabres haven't had a player who can do that, on their own, in I don't know how long.
You're welcome. :thumbsup:
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Barbashev top rated skater available. Worth noting that a total of ZERO Russians were taken by OTT when Murray was there.
I'm sticking to the players listed in the draft preview as r2 targets. Lemieux, McKeown, Demko, Dougherty, Karlsson etc. and yes, Barbashev
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Tim Murray post-draft (Rd1) (6/27/14) <4:56>
Sabres GM Tim Murray spoke with the media following round one of the 2014 NHL Draft.Pronman, ESPN INsider: Best 25 remaining players
Barbashev, Audette among top prospects available on Day 2 of NHL draft1. Ivan Barbashev, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
He's the kind of player who can be set up on the point on a power play, due to the way he can control the puck and see all the options. He's a very hard worker who plays with a physical edge, and can land some crushing blows. He's committed defensively, with fine skills on the penalty kill. He needs to get stronger and be a little more consistent offensively.
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Reinhart Reports
Black Book
Sam is an excellent two-way player and has shown he can play a complete game at both ends of the ice. Sam seems to do everything well and makes it looks effortless at times. He has a very powerful release on his shot and has ideal positioning in the offensive zone, always finding some open ice and utilizing it to his advantage. He is capable of beating defenders one on one but isn’t an overly flashy player. He can sometimes very quietly start producing points simply out of his calm, poised demeanor and hockey sense with and without the puck. He is also effective dishing the puck to the streaking forward of threading the needle in tight for a back door goal. Both offensively and defensively Sam can be very dangerous every shift. Sam has proven to be the guy you always want on the ice in critical situations and has shown he can play consistent every night at the junior level.ISS
Scouting Report:What makes Reinhart so dangerous is his ability to dominate a game without the flash or constant barrage of risky plays that tend to stick out with other high potential offensive players. Reinhart sees the entire ice and always seems to be at least one step ahead of everyone else on the ice when the puck is on his stick. He is a dominant PP set up man from the half wall but has also shown that he can be a very dangerous shooter as well. He has an elite understanding of positioning and game physics in all three zones of the ice and on both sides of the puck. He very rarely jumps at you because of any particular skill but he is always effective and a consistent offensive threat in every game he plays.
McKeen's
Possesses the best on ice awareness of all draft eligible prospects understanding how to play and analyze all game situations .. approaches the game not unlike Ron Francis .. elite poise under pressure, exploiting his time and space intelligently .. can diffuse pressure and get out of jams by simply using his smarts as one can see the gears literally turning in his head .. always in the right position to make a play whether it be on the offensive or defensive side of the puck .. not a flashy or explosive skater, his game misses a breakaway gear .. more of a steady and functional skater with some deceptive quickness .. doesn’t seem to have a ‘killer’ passion as he can lose intensity in 1 on 1 battles .. needs to get stronger and thicker up top as he can be easily knocked over onto his knees when shoved from behind .. Reinhart has accomplished much at the international level playing in every tournament of his junior career.. a move to the NHL next season appears imminently likely.FC
STRENGTHS: The 2014 NHL Draft’s top forward prospect has delivered consistently all season for Kootenay. His top asset is his mind as he is always a step or two ahead of his opponents. Because of his intelligence, Reinhart can play a ton of minutes in all situations as your top-line center. His positioning and decision-making skills are elite. While on the surface, he is lacking the flash of a typical top pick, Reinhart seems to always find a way to forward the puck to a teammate and seems to thread difficult passes across the ice with ease. His vision is outstanding and he is creative in a discrete way. The typical Sam Reinhart goal: him sitting back in the play and waiting for a moment to find open ice around the net, and in a split second, striking with a quick wrist shot from that open ice after his teammate found him with a well-placed pass. His usual accurate shot has improved all season both in its release and velocity. He is strong on the draw, and shows poise and composure with the puck. He uses his body well as a shield for the puck. Reinhart has the rare ability to slow the pace down when he gets the puck. Shows very good anticipation in the defensive zone. He looks unassertive in his end at times, but his timing is just excellent. Reinhart always seems to lurk around, but the next thing you know, he has picked off a pass with his quick stick and excellent positioning, and in a flash, has started the transition up ice. Poise with and without the puck is phenomenal and hardly ever panics or gets worked up.WEAKNESSES: While it is not really a weakness--more of his identity--Reinhart is not a flashy kid with an impressive set of wheels and the ability to dangle the puck through defenders for a highlight-reel play. Instead, he is very effective and efficient. Not the typical top-five draft pick in that regard. His skating lacks the burst and explosiveness you want in a top-line type forward prospect, even if he is rarely, if ever, behind the play. He lacks the speed to project as highly effective off the rush. Reinhart looks to be lacking intensity and can frustrate with his perceived lack of urgency. He also does not have a physical element to his game, but instead relies on his hockey sense and smarts to win most battles.
THN
ON A DISAPPOINTING CANADIAN WJC team, Reinhart was one of the best and most consistent forwards, behind Ottawa pick Curtis Lazar. Coach Brent Sutter had him killing penalties way back in the summer evaluation camp tournament that saw the Canadians face off against the U.S., Sweden Finland in Lake Placid, N.Y., because the national boss knew the kid could handle it. "He's so smart that it makes up for his weaknesses," said one scout. "He takes away space and uses his angles. He's a good enough skater, deadly on the power play and his line mates get five or six chances a game because of him." Reinhart was lightning for Kootenay in the playoffs and was buzzing during the CHL Top Prospects Game, where he stood out as one of the top performers. Consistency has been a Question, if only a Quibble. "There are times when you want him to dig deeper," said one scout. "But he does so many things well."ESPN
Prospect analysis: Reinhart is the best pure passer in the draft class. His ability to dictate tempo elevates his game to a distinct level. Reinhart can make all kinds of plays with the puck, and his elite hockey sense stands out regularly. He has average size but will work hard in battles for the puck. Some of the skills that distinguish Reinhart are his smart play in the defensive zone and his ability to shut down opposing top players, and he is an asset on the penalty kill. -- PronmanTeam-fit analysis: If you are a Buffalo fan, you can take solace in the fact that the abysmal mess that was the Sabres' 2013-14 season at least yielded a high-end, two-way center who will very likely start the 2014-15 season on their NHL roster. For as bad as Buffalo was last year (and it was historically bad), this is a team with a lot of young talent on the way. They are prospect-strong in areas (center and defense) that are extremely difficult to fill in trade and free agency. -- Provenzano
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LISTEN: #Sabres GM Tim Murray addresses the media after tonight's 1st round http://goo.gl/kUIw8D
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#Sabres GM Tim Murray: We got the guy we wanted. He was first on our list. #Sabres2014Draft
Murray on Reinhart: Dominant player. He makes those around him better. Outstanding hockey sense. #Sabres2014Draft pic.twitter.com/VPOb31ms6W
Sam Reinhart NHL Entry Draft Transcript
SABRES SELECT SAM REINHART SECOND OVERALL IN NHL DRAFT
BUFFALO, N.Y. (June 27, 2014) --- The Buffalo Sabres selected center Sam Reinhart (Kootenay - WHL) with the second overall pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He is the team’s first-ever second overall pick and the highest selection for the club since it picked Pierre Turgeon first overall in 1987.Reinhart (6’1”, 186 lbs., 11/6/95), the third-ranked North American skater and second-ranked North American center on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings, joins the Sabres organization after playing four years in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Kootenay Ice. In addition to serving as Kootenay’s captain in 2013-14, he was named the WHL 2013-14 Player of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year.
In 2013-14, Reinhart led Kootenay with 105 points (36+69) in 60 games, tying for fourth overall in the WHL with Leon Draisaitl (selected third overall by Edmonton). He also led his team with 23 points (6+17) in 13 playoff games, advancing three rounds before Kootenay fell to the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference Championship.
Through his four seasons with Kootenay and the WHL, Reinhart has recorded 254 points (101+153) in 203 games. Additionally, he captained Canada’s gold medal-winning teams at both the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial and the 2013 Under-18 World Championship.
Born in North Vancouver, B.C., Reinhart comes from a long line of hockey players in his family. Reinhart’s brother, Max, was selected by the Calgary Flames in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, while his brother, Griffin, was selected in the first round (fourth overall) by the New York Islanders in 2012. Their father, Paul, was selected in the first round (12th overall) by the Atlanta Flames in 1979 and played 11 NHL seasons with the Flames and Vancouver Canucks. Sam played alongside Max with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice (in 2010-11 and 2011-12) and with Griffin on Team Canada at the 2014 World Junior Championship.
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Yes....Barbashev is there!
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Garth Snow just dropped the S word on TSN! :lol:
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It's now on NHL Network.
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Ummm WTF!??? Did NBC Sports just cut off coverage?
WTH?
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Hope Snow takes Demko.
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Damn, they showed McCann skating right by Zadorov for a goal. :unsure:
#31 overall - Brendan Lemieux
in The Aud Club
Posted · Edited by 26CornerBlitz
@BillHoppeNHL
Something short ... 'Crushed' Brendan Lemieux figured #Sabres had no interest, promises to make teams pay. http://www.buffaloho...ad-no-interest/
@BuffaloSabres
VIDEO: Claude Lemieux reacts to his son being drafted by the #Sabres - http://goo.gl/b9NctW
#Sabres2014Draft
Brendan Lemieux speaks with EJ Hradek <2:13>
Brendan Lemieux - scrum (6/28/14) <6:11>
Brendan Lemieux interview (6/28/14) <3:10>