In July, Dan Bylsma mentioned publicly that he would be experimenting with playing Samson Reinhart at center as well as on the wing.
The jury is still out as to what position, and what team Reinhart will play on come opening night. Is he a third line center or a third line winger?
Will he begin the season in Buffalo on with AHL Rochester?
That's entirely up to Reinhart at this point. His performances in exhibition games will go a long way to determining what position he will play.
Bylsma will continue to evaluate the 2014 second overall pick in the exhibition game.
On Wednesday night, Reinhart turned heads as he centered a line along with Jamie McGinn and Brian Gionta. He played 16:37 TOI. He took three shots on goal and was -2 in the game. His play was consistent in all three zones. The upshot to his performance against Ottawa was that he finished the game 8 for 11 on draws. That's a solid 73% faceoff win percentage.
Reinhart has played well in scrimmages and exhibition games. He will have to continue to play that way in order earn his roster spot in Buffalo. Nothing is a given at this point. Jack Eichel will start the season as Buffalo's second line center for Matt Moulson and Zemgus Girgensons. The third line center slot is open for the moment. Reinhart is one of the candidates that Bylsma is considering for the third line center position. Swedish bull dog Johan Larsson is also in consideration for that coveted spot.
Tonight in Toronto, Reinhart will play second line center for Ryan O'Reilly and Justin Bailey.
Moulson-R. O'Reilly-Gionta Reinhart-C. O'Reilly-Bailey Deslauriers-Legwand-Foligno Kea-Schaller-Catenacci
I have faith in Reinhart that he will continue to play a simple game while playing on the wing.
I'm a big believer that goal scorers must score. Play makers must make plays that light the lamp. Reinhart is the ideal combination of finisher and puck distributor. It would help him considerably if he can score a goal or two inside the ACC tonight. You'll recall that Reinhart powered Team Canada to the World Junior Hockey Championships gold medal at the very same Air Canada Center in Tronna in January. Reinhart has already perfected the art of delivering a few virtuoso performances on the hugest stage in the NHL at the ACC. I hope for his sake that he and his Sabres line mates find the score sheet against the Leafs tonight.
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This news makes me very happy.
I saw RJ at the Ottawa-Buffalo game and I told him so.
Legend's gonna continue to legend.
Great news, #Sabres fans!
Rick Jeanneret will continue to do play-by-play beyond this season. pic.twitter.com/UM7uiixTqp
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 25, 2015
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Ryan and Cal O'Reilly will fulfill a lifelong dream of playing together as teammates tonight in their hometown.
After today's morning skate, Ryan said it's a dream come true to play with his four years older brother.
“You can’t really picture it until it actually happens,… Ryan O’Reilly said. “It’s like a dream come true, I guess.…