We'll wait and see how the D after 8 play out and how he does. Skilled, top 2 line centers are a valuable commodity, even more so than D I will argue, depending on needs and all that especially when your draft board says he was the highest rated player to take. Skilled centers drive the offense which the Sabres have been putrid at too.

Not sure where this claim that he just a playmaker comes from, he seems to be able to score and has a wicked shot so not sure if he is just a playmaker.
- GilPerreault11

This is an entirely different discussion

My point is...
He might need more than this year before he's ready to contribute
And it's quite possible he spends time in Rochester

Anyone assuming he's coming straight here is jumping the gun imo

Well we got our signals crossed there, no biggie

For me, the bottom line is that he definitely needs more upper body strength before he's ready to be effective in the NHL
Can he do that in one year like Reinhart?
Will it take him longer?

To be determined
- jdfitz77

he has 20 pounds more on him than reinhart did when he was drafted...nylander as well. he should be able to get stronger faster just by having the weight on him already. that aside, my point earlier was that i dont totally believe in this fairly new notion that someone has to be a physical specimen to play in the nhl. having a good stride and being strong on your edges is way more important than how big someones biceps or shoulders are in my opinion. reinhart spent his year after the draft doing a lot of power skating working on his stride along with getting stronger. nobody is talking about that being a problem for him just his upper body strength which i believe to be overrated.

I don't understand why people are all of a sudden expecting a lot. Pre-Draft I was the only one who said select Mittelstadt and call it a day. The archive doesn't lie. Speaking of Archive, who's the Recorder of Deeds around here? Someone needs to start tracking my prognostications. Looks like plenty of you have nothing but time on your hands. Bills playoffs/KC top 5 pick this year will be my greatest work to date and that's saying something. Like a lot, big time. I'm not always right, but I aint ever been wrong.
- Hatboro_Swords

My greatest prediction was that Reinhart was meh. Well maybe that Myers was meh too. Sekera was a good player run out of town. Damn, I'm smarter than most of you

My greatest prediction was that Reinhart was meh. Well maybe that Myers was meh too. Sekera was a good player run out of town. Damn, I'm smarter than most of you
- GilPerreault11

Prepare to eat crow. Play Samsonite with ROR and all of your wildest dreams will come true. RoD, mark another one down for me.

he has 20 pounds more on him than reinhart did when he was drafted...nylander as well. he should be able to get stronger faster just by having the weight on him already. that aside, my point earlier was that i dont totally believe in this fairly new notion that someone has to be a physical specimen to play in the nhl. having a good stride and being strong on your edges is way more important than how big someones biceps or shoulders are in my opinion. reinhart spent his year after the draft doing a lot of power skating working on his stride along with getting stronger. nobody is talking about that being a problem for him just his upper body strength which i believe to be overrated.
- TheHank

Right...
and that's where we disagree

I think u can get away with it at lower levels,
but not the NHL

I'm not saying he needs to bench 250
But he's clearly got some work to do

My greatest prediction was that Reinhart was meh. Well maybe that Myers was meh too. Sekera was a good player run out of town. Damn, I'm smarter than most of you
- GilPerreault11

WAY too early to say that
And didn't u also want Bennett instead?

Now that would've been a horrible pick!!!
(So far)

No way he does without us winning a cup first
- sbroads24

Stamkos did.

Prepare to eat crow. Play Samsonite with ROR and all of your wildest dreams will come true. RoD, mark another one down for me.
- Hatboro_Swords

Um, relatively speaking, slow, no separation, hands meh, no physical ability and supposedly smart will get you 40+ pts on Jack's wing and most of your goals tipped in on the PP. But we'll see. Going into his 4th year and he's just a kid.

WAY too early to say that
And didn't u also want Bennett instead?

Now that would've been a horrible pick!!!
(So far)
- jdfitz77

If I would have known more about Leon, seen him play more and didn't buy the German scouting bias I would have been all over him. But I still like the right Sam's skills and mentality over the wrong Sams not to mention he is almost a year younger. Put him on Jack's wing with his speed and ability? Who knows what we get. Take Reinhart off Jack's wing I hate to see the numbers.

Um, relatively speaking, slow, no separation, hands meh, no physical ability and supposedly smart will get you 40+ pts on Jack's wing and most of your goals tipped in on the PP. But we'll see. Going into his 4th year and he's just a kid.
- GilPerreault11

a lot of people said it about sam... nobody has said any of these things about mittelstadt. completely different player with a different style/skillset.

If I would have known more about Leon, seen him play more and didn't buy the German scouting bias I would have been all over him. But I still like the right Sam's skills and mentality over the wrong Sams not to mention he is almost a year younger. Put him on Jack's wing with his speed and ability? Who knows what we get. Take Reinhart off Jack's wing I hate to see the numbers.
- GilPerreault11

Reinhart produce on O'Reilly's wing as well

And it's not like Bennett is playing with scrubs,
He just hasn't been good

I get that u prefer a certain skill set over others,
but so far...
there's no arguing who the better Sam is
Not even close

a lot of people said it about sam... nobody has said any of these things about mittelstadt. completely different player with a different style/skillset.
- TheHank

I know; today's NHL center

I know; today's NHL center
- GilPerreault11

lets hope.

My greatest prediction was that Reinhart was meh. Well maybe that Myers was meh too. Sekera was a good player run out of town. Damn, I'm smarter than most of you
- GilPerreault11

less meh than bennett though...

To be fair, I am in a good mood today because of a promotion.

My employer is incredibly impressed with how much I hate Evander Kane
- sbroads24

Reinhart produce on O'Reilly's wing as well

And it's not like Bennett is playing with scrubs,
He just hasn't been good

I get that u prefer a certain skill set over others,
but so far...
there's no arguing who the better Sam is
Not even close
- jdfitz77

I'd have to see the figures on SR and how much he plays with and produces with ROR. And yes, I do have a preference for skilled, talented, quick, fast players over lulling ones. I grew up a Gil Perreault fan and in today's NHL it is speed and skills. I'd bet Reinhart would have 15-20 pts less a year without Jack and that is scary and lines up with the right Sam.

less meh than bennett though...
- Sabresfan-365

You are a numbers man, what do you think Reinhart's would be without Jack holding his hand 5 v5 and especially the PP?

You are a numbers man, what do you think Reinhart's would be without Jack holding his hand 5 v5 and especially the PP?
- GilPerreault11

i dont have individual stats but...

5v5 together eichel and reinhart were on the ice for 21 goals for and 25 goals against


away from him eichel was on the ice for 16 goals and 19 against

Reinhart was on the ice for 18 goals and 18 against.

Their possession numbers together 50%. Reinhart away from Eichel 48....eichel away from reinhart 44. (zone starts when they're apart are split fairly similarly).

I'd have to see the figures on SR and how much he plays with and produces with ROR. And yes, I do have a preference for skilled, talented, quick, fast players over lulling ones. I grew up a Gil Perreault fan and in today's NHL it is speed and skills. I'd bet Reinhart would have 15-20 pts less a year without Jack and that is scary and lines up with the right Sam.
- GilPerreault11

Reinhart has been at least a step above Bennett,
There's no arguing that

Based on your drafting off speed, etc...
you'd have passed on Tavares

There's room in the NHL for many different style players

i dont have individual stats but...

5v5 together eichel and reinhart were on the ice for 21 goals for and 25 goals against


away from him eichel was on the ice for 16 goals and 19 against

Reinhart was on the ice for 18 goals and 18 against.

Their possession numbers together 50%. Reinhart away from Eichel 48....eichel away from reinhart 44. (zone starts when they're apart are split fairly similarly).
- Sabresfan-365

Gotcha, thanks.

Reinhart has been at least a step above Bennett,
There's no arguing that

Based on your drafting off speed, etc...
you'd have passed on Tavares

There's room in the NHL for many different style players
- jdfitz77

No, Sam Reinhart is no John Tavares. If you can't make up for it with other skill like hands, shooting, passing, separation then you are waiting to prove yourself in your 4th year still like Sam Reinhart. I mean SR is supposed to be a great passer, still waiting to see that on a regular basis.

I like all kinds of players but when you tank for a year I want more than late first 2nd round talent for mine and the team's troubles. I also take issue with people who keep saying Sam is more than he appears to be and that his underachievement is due all to the Sabres system and none of his deficiencies.

I did my job getting the 500

Now I'm off to san Diego
- GERBE!!!75PTS

I'm ready and willing to murder someone after 5 hours on a plane. I'm too poor to fly anything but economy. Even an exit row with the extra legroom is murder.

Reinhart has been at least a step above Bennett,
There's no arguing that

Based on your drafting off speed, etc...
you'd have passed on Tavares

There's room in the NHL for many different style players
- jdfitz77

but they all need to have strong upper bodies

I'm not saying at all that he necessarily needs to be throwing his weight around
But he does have to be strong enough to win puck battles & not be easily knocked off the puck

He definitely needs to hit the gym hard
I'd be surprised to see him playing for us next year
Rochester, maybe
- jdfitz77

He just needs to be shifty. I don't think Gaudreau is very strong.

He just needs to be shifty. I don't think Gaudreau is very strong.
- Wetbandit1

or gretzky