IMO a lot of what they do with Reinhart hinges on how other young players preform during camp. They do not want a huge influx of rookies at one time.

IMO they keep Reinhart here initially and see how it goes. I bet Risto starts in the A and is up full time not long after.
- sbroads24

You think?

I think there is a solid vet presence on the Blue line that Risto starts here regardless of Reinhart.

Gorges Meszaros Weber (I know I know) even Myers is more of a vet at this point. That leaves Pysyk Risto Ruhwedel and Zadorov fighting it out for the last 3 spots so really IMO Pysyk and Risto make it and Ruhwedel and Weber battle it out for the 6th spot and Zadorov goes back

You think?

I think there is a solid vet presence on the Blue line that Risto starts here regardless of Reinhart.

Gorges Meszaros Weber (I know I know) even Myers is more of a vet at this point. That leaves Pysyk Risto Ruhwedel and Zadorov fighting it out for the last 3 spots so really IMO Pysyk and Risto make it and Ruhwedel and Weber battle it out for the 6th spot and Zadorov goes back
- Stripes77

You forgot Benoit

Myers
Gorges
Mezaros
Weber
Benoit
Pysyk
Ristolainen
Ruhwedel
McCabe
Zadarov

Zadarov basically has no shot. IMO they keep Rudy as the 6th or 7th to begin the year and by game 10-15 Ristolainen is here full time

And if he does well in those 9 games, why would they send him back?
- HonkFortheGoose

If he does well, they won't.

Someone posted on here yesterday or the day before, and predicted the individual Sabres goal totals, and said Reinhart would have 5 goals in the first 19 games and then get sent back. (Not sure why he'd get sent back after 19 games, but whatever). I said, 5 goals in 19 games puts him on pace for over 20 for a full year. If he scores at that pace, he goes nowhere.

Grigorenko's issue was his skating and compete level which is why he got sent back and forth

Reinhart's issue right now is his size. His skating is fine and his hockey IQ makes up for any little shortfall there. Nobody has ever questioned his compete level and he is much more mature than Grigorenko was. If he fits in fine which I think he will get 15-18 minutes a game playing with vets (not on the 4th line) he will stay. It's pretty simple in my eyes. He can only have 1 point but if he is generating chances and looks like he belongs (something Grigorenko didn't look playing with 4th liners or not) he stays.
- Stripes77

Agreed, and well said.

You forgot Benoit

Myers
Gorges
Mezaros
Weber
Benoit
Pysyk
Ristolainen
Ruhwedel
McCabe
Zadarov

Zadarov basically has no shot. IMO they keep Rudy as the 6th or 7th to begin the year and by game 10-15 Ristolainen is here full time
- sbroads24

I did forget Benoit. I don't think McCabe sees the Sabres unless our blue line decides to go all 2006 on us again. Risto needs to play up here and adjust to the NHL game. He adjusted to the North American league game last year now its time for the speed of the NHL. Let him adjust in a year where we have minimal expectations and his screw ups aren't going to cost us anything. Not a team full of rookies but 2 won't hurt.

That's all they are though, theories. How many decisions like this have either of them had to make in their career? Im pretty sure he also said something along the lines of they'll have a chance to earn their spot. Can't imagine Murray would send Reinhart down if he's got 6 points in 9 games and looks like he can keep up at the nhl level.
- Sabresfan-365

I think the folks wishing him here are not being realistic . He needs to get bigger and stronger . There is no shame in sending a kid to junior to get bigger physically and strength wise . Sure if he dominates he stays. I did not see him dominate at the prospects camp . I am skeptical that he can dominate with the men yet. No one is questioning his hockey sense . No one is questioning whether he is a great player. Going back sure did not hurt Drouin .

I did forget Benoit. I don't think McCabe sees the Sabres unless our blue line decides to go all 2006 on us again. Risto needs to play up here and adjust to the NHL game. He adjusted to the North American league game last year now its time for the speed of the NHL. Let him adjust in a year where we have minimal expectations and his screw ups aren't going to cost us anything. Not a team full of rookies but 2 won't hurt.
- Stripes77

I think Risto should be here, but I think they wanna start the season with the vets.

Once Risto shows up for an injury I bet he stays in the top 4.

I honestly think that Ristolinian and McCabe with both be with the Amerks when the season starts. Nolan and Murray want the young ones to dominate. While Risto had his spurts of greatness, he hasn't taken things over like he can. He will start the season in Rochester.

As far as Reinhart, he will get his 9 game showcase then get sent back to juniors. While he could play this year, why waste a contract year on a team that will not contend for a playoff spot this year. It also gives him a chance to play and be captain of the Canadians at the junior worlds.

I think some of the fan base needs to slow down thinking this team had a shot at the playoffs. I could go on and on, but this has been a good first post.

I think the folks wishing him here are not being realistic . He needs to get bigger and stronger . There is no shame in sending a kid to junior to get bigger physically and strength wise . Sure if he dominates he stays. I did not see him dominate at the prospects camp . I am skeptical that he can dominate with the men yet. No one is questioning his hockey sense . No one is questioning whether he is a great player. Going back sure did not hurt Drouin .
- Maximum Signal

Why is it realistic for you to say he should go back, but not for people to say they think he should stay? It's an opinion.

I also never said he should stay, I said if he looks good then he deserves to stay. It's all going to depend on how he looks in camp first and foremost. If they like what they see, they'll give him 9 games and go from there.

You're trying to make it black and white, and it's anything but.

He can get bigger and stronger playing here. He doesn't have to go back to Jr to do that. The strength and conditioning coaches can probably do more for him here than his Jr team can.

And why does he need to dominate? Can't he come out and play a competent game and develop? He doesn't need to come out and be Sidney Crosby. I think you're expectations are way too high in the first place.

I honestly think that Ristolinian and McCabe with both be with the Amerks when the season starts. Nolan and Murray want the young ones to dominate. While Risto had his spurts of greatness, he hasn't taken things over like he can. He will start the season in Rochester.

As far as Reinhart, he will get his 9 game showcase then get sent back to juniors. While he could play this year, why waste a contract year on a team that will not contend for a playoff spot this year. It also gives him a chance to play and be captain of the Canadians at the junior worlds.

I think some of the fan base needs to slow down thinking this team had a shot at the playoffs. I could go on and on, but this has been a good first post.
- Tank4McEichel

I agree with all that
I think most of the young forwards also stay in Rochester
The one who has the best chance to make the Sabres IMO is Larsson... His style of play works on the 4th line to start, and then he can be moved up the ladder as his play dictates that he's ready (similar to Girgensons)
Guys like Reinhart, Armia, Grigorenko, etc need to be at least top9, maybe even top6, or it's pointless for them to be here...
We saw that with Grigorenko
And I can't believe Murray would make the same mistake knowing the setback it can cause

I honestly think that Ristolinian and McCabe with both be with the Amerks when the season starts. Nolan and Murray want the young ones to dominate. While Risto had his spurts of greatness, he hasn't taken things over like he can. He will start the season in Rochester.

As far as Reinhart, he will get his 9 game showcase then get sent back to juniors. While he could play this year, why waste a contract year on a team that will not contend for a playoff spot this year. It also gives him a chance to play and be captain of the Canadians at the junior worlds.

I think some of the fan base needs to slow down thinking this team had a shot at the playoffs. I could go on and on, but this has been a good first post.
- Tank4McEichel

It's not a waste of a year. It would be a year for him to learn and grow without the expectation of taking the team to the playoffs. There's plenty of development opportunity out there for him even if he stays with the Sabres.

I'm not saying he should stay for sure, but we have to wait and see what he brings in camp. If he doesn't look like he belongs then, he won't even get a 9 game showcase. He'll get sent back right away.

I want them to do what they feel is best at that point. I hope they don't already have a decision made without even seeing what he can do in camp. That would be the biggest mistake they could make.

It's not a waste of a year. It would be a year for him to learn and grow without the expectation of taking the team to the playoffs. There's plenty of development opportunity out there for him even if he stays with the Sabres.

I'm not saying he should stay for sure, but we have to wait and see what he brings in camp. If he doesn't look like he belongs then, he won't even get a 9 game showcase. He'll get sent back right away.

I want them to do what they feel is best at that point. I hope they don't already have a decision made without even seeing what he can do in camp. That would be the biggest mistake they could make.
- HonkFortheGoose

Darcy and Lindy are gone. I wouldn't worry too much

I agree with all that
I think most of the young forwards also stay in Rochester
The one who has the best chance to make the Sabres IMO is Larsson... His style of play works on the 4th line to start, and then he can be moved up the ladder as his play dictates that he's ready (similar to Girgensons)
Guys like Reinhart, Armia, Grigorenko, etc need to be at least top9, maybe even top6, or it's pointless for them to be here...
We saw that with Grigorenko
And I can't believe Murray would make the same mistake knowing the setback it can cause
- jdfitz77

Nic Backstrom started out his rookie year on the 4th line. Doesn't seem to have hurt him any. Coaches do that so that guys can get a feel for the tempo of the game and the physicality of it. I think he played about 9 games or so there if I'm remembering correctly.

Why is it realistic for you to say he should go back, but not for people to say they think he should stay? It's an opinion.

I also never said he should stay, I said if he looks good then he deserves to stay. It's all going to depend on how he looks in camp first and foremost. If they like what they see, they'll give him 9 games and go from there.

You're trying to make it black and white, and it's anything but.

He can get bigger and stronger playing here. He doesn't have to go back to Jr to do that. The strength and conditioning coaches can probably do more for him here than his Jr team can.

And why does he need to dominate? Can't he come out and play a competent game and develop? He doesn't need to come out and be Sidney Crosby. I think you're expectations are way too high in the first place.
- HonkFortheGoose

While I agree that u can lift weights anywhere...
If he's not big enough and he's getting run over (even if he is putting up points), then is does make sense for him to get bigger playing in juniors so he's not risking injury up here playing against goons like Chara

We all might be assuming he's not big or strong enough yet though... Its not like he's Gerbe's size or anything

Nic Backstrom started out his rookie year on the 4th line. Doesn't seem to have hurt him any. Coaches do that so that guys can get a feel for the tempo of the game and the physicality of it. I think he played about 9 games or so there if I'm remembering correctly.
- HonkFortheGoose

Its different for each player
Stamkos was a disaster on the 4th line under Melrose. New coach takes over, puts him in the top6, and we all know what's happened from there

While I agree that u can lift weights anywhere...
If he's not big enough and he's getting run over (even if he is putting up points), then is does make sense for him to get bigger playing in juniors so he's not risking injury up here playing against goons like Chara

We all might be assuming he's not big or strong enough yet though... Its not like he's Gerbe's size or anything
- jdfitz77

He's 6'1" and 185 lbs. While he could definitely use a bit more muscle, he's not exactly tiny. Tyler Ennis makes it work at 5'9" and 169 lbs. Pat Kane is 5'11" and 181 lbs. He doesn't seem to have any issues.

If he's getting run over, it may be more of him learning where to go and not to go. How to position himself. How to lean into guys so they don't take him down. Those are things he'll need to learn here where the game is faster and more physical.

Its different for each player
Stamkos was a disaster on the 4th line under Melrose. New coach takes over, puts him in the top6, and we all know what's happened from there
- jdfitz77

You can't even compare. The team was a disaster under Melrose. The purpose of putting guys on the 4th to begin with is to acclimate them. It's not for them to put up a ton of points and dominate the opposition. If that's what people expected Stamkos to do, then shame on them.

Nic Backstrom started out his rookie year on the 4th line. Doesn't seem to have hurt him any. Coaches do that so that guys can get a feel for the tempo of the game and the physicality of it. I think he played about 9 games or so there if I'm remembering correctly.
- HonkFortheGoose

Why are folks so hell bent in keeping him here if he is not physically ready . These are not kids he is playing with here . They are men ! Lots of men that would love to prove their worth by crushing the number 2 overall pick and get their names in the paper. He did not stand out against our own prospects physically . By all means lets let him get crushed and spend some time injured to learn what the NHL is all about.

Why are folks so hell bent in keeping him here if he is not physically ready . These are not kids he is playing with here . They are men ! Lots of men that would love to prove their worth by crushing the number 2 overall pick and get their names in the paper. He did not stand out against our own prospects physically . By all means lets let him get crushed and spend some time injured to learn what the NHL is all about.
- Maximum Signal

Do you really not read what I actually write? I've said multiple times, WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HE DOES IN CAMP.

Is that in plain enough English for you? I'm not going to base whether or not he should be here from what he did in development camp. It's a tiny sample of a guy that had been through a roller coaster of a month prior to that with the draft.

And again, why is it ok for you to have your opinion on the fact that he should go back to Jr, but it's not ok for someone else to have the opinion that he should stay? It's just that. An opinion.

Why are folks so hell bent in keeping him here if he is not physically ready . These are not kids he is playing with here . They are men ! Lots of men that would love to prove their worth by crushing the number 2 overall pick and get their names in the paper. He did not stand out against our own prospects physically . By all means lets let him get crushed and spend some time injured to learn what the NHL is all about.
- Maximum Signal

Letting a guy getting a feel for the physicality of a league does not equate to being not "physically ready". The guy can be as built as can be, but there's no way to get a feel for the physical side with the NHL without taking a hit from an NHL player.

Why are folks so hell bent in keeping him here if he is not physically ready . These are not kids he is playing with here . They are men ! Lots of men that would love to prove their worth by crushing the number 2 overall pick and get their names in the paper. He did not stand out against our own prospects physically . By all means lets let him get crushed and spend some time injured to learn what the NHL is all about.
- Maximum Signal

Nobody is hell bent on it, however you seem to be hell bent on him being sent back to juniors. Unless it's an organizational policy (which we won't know because neither the coach or gm have been here long enough) that decision won't be made till after game 9.

You're assuming that Reinhart will get absolutely crushed in those 9 games, which is very possible but it's also possible that he does just fine.

Why are folks so hell bent in keeping him here if he is not physically ready . These are not kids he is playing with here . They are men ! Lots of men that would love to prove their worth by crushing the number 2 overall pick and get their names in the paper. He did not stand out against our own prospects physically . By all means lets let him get crushed and spend some time injured to learn what the NHL is all about.
- Maximum Signal

What does this mean exactly? He was fine in the prospects camp. He took 1 hard hit from a guy that delivers a lot of them.

Personally I don't think he should play with 4th liners. He should play with capable hockey players.

He's 6'1" and 185 lbs. While he could definitely use a bit more muscle, he's not exactly tiny. Tyler Ennis makes it work at 5'9" and 169 lbs. Pat Kane is 5'11" and 181 lbs. He doesn't seem to have any issues.

If he's getting run over, it may be more of him learning where to go and not to go. How to position himself. How to lean into guys so they don't take him down. Those are things he'll need to learn here where the game is faster and more physical.
- HonkFortheGoose

Tyler Ennis also played his time out in Juniors then won Rookie of the year in the AHL adjusting to playing against these bigger , stronger , faster players.. It is a big jump from the CHL right to the NHL . There is no doubt this kid will be a great one . Why the rush to subject him to getting manhandled.

Tyler Ennis also played his time out in Juniors then won Rookie of the year in the AHL adjusting to playing against these bigger , stronger , faster players.. It is a big jump from the CHL right to the NHL . There is no doubt this kid will be a great one . Why the rush to subject him to getting manhandled.
- Maximum Signal

Because at 6'1 180 he won't get manhandled.

The only thing he needs to learn is how to absorb a professional body check, and how to avoid them at this level.

What does this mean exactly? He was fine in the prospects camp. He took 1 hard hit from a guy that delivers a lot of them.

Personally I don't think he should play with 4th liners. He should play with capable hockey players.
- sbroads24

Did he elevate himself against all the other prospects and show he was ready for the NHL ?If the kid is in the least bit not ready in every capacity . Why have here. To sell more jerseys ?

I don't want to see him here just placate folks . And like you I do not want playing 10 minutes a game on 4th line . When he could be in junior playing 25.