How fine is Sam Reinhart?

[nfreeman]

I hate those "coulda-woulda-shoulda" articles.  At that point in time it was pretty well agreed that Samson was the best player available at that point.

 

I don't agree with this at all.  There was plenty of speculation about whether the Sabres would go for Reino, Bennett or Draisaitl.

[Iron Crotch]

I don't agree with this at all.  There was plenty of speculation about whether the Sabres would go for Reino, Bennett or Draisaitl.

 

Yeah, it was a 3-way race between Sam, Sam, and Leon. No one was clearly ahead of the other. I always liked Draisaitl, but the board coalesced around Reinhart since everyone claimed he had the best "hockey IQ" (which I've always thought means: not very fast, not very physical, but scores anyway). That draft was also when everyone first freaked out above pull-ups at the combine!

[Doohickie]

It's kind of like every major move- there are a few contrarians but in general the fan base (and the forum) gets behind the move *at the time* as an indication that that the team is moving forward.  Just like when we got GMTM people loved him and it was only later (for most of the forum after he was already fired) that the board turned on him.  So it was when the Sabres drafted Samson- he was a shiny object that was admired by most.

 

But the forum falls in love with these changes so much that we start to believe the hype, and when a player/coach/GM/whatever doesn't live up to the hype machine (which was by its very nature unrealistic), people fall away and start to point at the move as a major mistake.  In hindsight maybe it was a mistake, but it's hard to know that when the choice was made.

 

So right now, compared to the hype, Reinhart is a failure.  But look from the outside:  What would another team think of him?  What is his value in the league?  And I think most would agree Reinhart is a good player, but still hasn't reached his ceiling.  It's all the more apparent when you put him next to Jack who's a generational talent (or close to it).

[North Buffalo]

Yeah, it was a 3-way race between Sam, Sam, and Leon. No one was clearly ahead of the other. I always liked Draisaitl, but the board coalesced around Reinhart since everyone claimed he had the best "hockey IQ" (which I've always thought means: not very fast, not very physical, but scores anyway). That draft was also when everyone first freaked out above pull-ups at the combine!

Part of the Leon fear was that he would be another Grigerenko and no one wanted to risk another Russian bust... but he was intiquing.

Edited October 23, 2017 by North Buffalo

[3putt]

German bust.  Drai is German. 

[Doohickie]

Eurotrash is Eurotrash.

[inkman]

German bust.

Tis the time of year

 

[Doohickie]

And compared to Bennett, I think the discriminator was that Reinhart came from a hockey family- pro father, pro older brothers, etc., which was seen as an asset.

[LGR4GM]

Part of the Leon fear was that he would be another Grigerenko and no one wanted to risk another Russian bust... but he was intiquing.

Yes, Leon had major skating issues going into his draft. While we are all down on Reinhart's skating the truth is his edgework and agility are actually very solid. His burst and speed aren't great but they are easily above average. Bennett I didn't like his overall game from what I remember, I thought Sam's was more complete. Either way, all 3 of them were right in there. I think in the end I went Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl with my rankings. 

[3putt]

Tis the time of year

 

:worthy:

[North Buffalo]

Tis the time of year

Holy crap was I out to lunch but German Bust is much better...,

Farvenugen!

[LGR4GM]

For the ladies or anyone else who enjoys a Hemsworth drinking a beer. 

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Hey Liger,

 

They are fake, just so ya know.

[LGR4GM]

Hey Liger,

 

They are fake, just so ya know.

I mean, I think the beer is real. 

[Sabel79]

Hey Liger,

 

They are fake, just so ya know.

 

 

I mean, I think the beer is real. 

 

I mean, that's what I was staring at...

[LGR4GM]

Found this interesting

Buffalo Sabres Stats‏ @SabresStats  16h16 hours ago

More

I have to wonder if Housley told Samson to play with more of an edge. 23 had 5 hits tonight. His previous career high for a game was 2.

[nfreeman]

Yes, Leon had major skating issues going into his draft. While we are all down on Reinhart's skating the truth is his edgework and agility are actually very solid. His burst and speed aren't great but they are easily above average. Bennett I didn't like his overall game from what I remember, I thought Sam's was more complete. Either way, all 3 of them were right in there. I think in the end I went Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl with my rankings. 

 

Not for a top-6 forward.  Well below average.

[LGR4GM]

Not for a top-6 forward.  Well below average.

No they aren't. Maybe you could convince they are average but that's about it. 

[qwksndmonster]

Not for a top-6 forward. Well below average.

I don't think the threshold is different for top-6ers. If anything, bottom 6ers have to be faster.

 

I agree with Liger that Sam's edge work is above average. His burst and speed are probably about average. He's consistently gotten faster.

[dudacek]

I saw him in quickly on the defenceman a couple times last night forcing turnovers.

Sam has adequate speed and he moderates his speed a lot to create space and time, which feeds this myth.

 

Besides, it’s not so much your speed, it’s how you use it.

Watch how often Sam is in the right place compared to the much faster Bailey.

[nfreeman]

Whenever speed/quickness is an element in a 1-on-1 battle, which is frequently, Reino loses the battle.

[Randall Flagg]

I'm with nfreeman here. Sam has gotten faster and better at skating, but only to the point where I can call his edge-work and agility league average. His straight-line speed is still below average. 

Obviously this is all INCREDIBLY subjective. 

A lot of bad NHL players are good skaters and that's why they're in the NHL. 

 

It's not incredibly important for Sam, unless you need him to be the puck-carrier, because any time Sam has to carry the puck in without a teammate to pass to immediately, without fail the move is to approach the defenseman and chip it behind him and lose the race to it. 

However, get Sam with guys who understand spacing and support, and he will get you in the zone with possession more often than most other Sabres players. 

Edited October 25, 2017 by Randall Flagg

[3putt]

One uses the tools they have.  Skating isn't his strong suit.  But last night his anticipation, positioning and sense were central to creating three NZ turnovers and one in their end.  the one where he knocked the puck out the air and gave a touch pass to Bailey to regain the zone when the Wings were barreling out was a beauty.  He is what he is and on certain nights he dazzles you, but only if you are really paying attention.  

[BuffaloBorn]

"However, get Sam with guys who understand spacing and support, and he will get you in the zone with possession more often than most other Sabres players. "

Sam would excel if he consistently had teammates that could carry the puck and to pass to in any situation

 

Edited October 25, 2017 by BuffaloBorn

[dudacek]

One uses the tools they have.  Skating isn't his strong suit.  But last night his anticipation, positioning and sense were central to creating three NZ turnovers and one in their end.  the one where he knocked the puck out the air and gave a touch pass to Bailey to regain the zone when the Wings were barreling out was a beauty.  He is what he is and on certain nights he dazzles you, but only if you are really paying attention.

 

This. Sometimes I think people only value flash and/or brutality in our sport.

"However, get Sam with guys who understand spacing and support, and he will get you in the zone with possession more often than most other Sabres players. "

Sam would excel if he consistently had teammates that could carry the puck

 

And get open. Bailey and Kane, Bailey and Kane, Bailey and Kane...