Michael Pachla: To sit him or to play him, the Sam Reinhart saga

First.... now to read the blog brb

First.... now to read the blog brb
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I think that first line is going to look very good tonight.

I really hope Gionta does not slow down Eichel and Kane- those 2 have looked unstoppable in every game, for the most part.

And the Skunk..... well he is the Skunk.

Just remember, a skunk is an undomesticated beast.

Pretty quiet for game day.....

The Calm before The Storm!

My storm will be me at Slick Willies in about 2 hours getting trashed and yelling at the TV and losing money in QuickDraw

Me thinks it will be Larsson sitting this one out

Me thinks it will be Larsson sitting this one out
- cabin

I concur.... but can we really take what Garf said over MP?

He’s as close to NHL ready as anyone in the draft and his skills just bolster that.

Sam Reinhart has few issues with his game, if any. He will be in the NHL next season, it’s just a matter of which team in the top three will take a stab at him.

At this point, you’d have to consider Reinhart a slam dunk to make the jump to the NHL next year, the only question remains whether or not he winds up being the #1 pick which appears to be all his right now.”

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

I haven’t noticed any flaws in Reinhart’s game. He’s as close to NHL ready as you can get.

Offensive: 10/10 Defensive: 3/10


These are all various scouting reports on Sam Reinhart before the 2014 NHL draft...

Clearly he has not lived up to the billing so far. I understand that hes still young but he was touted as the most NHL ready prospect in the entire draft and rated the best prospect in hockey. I think there is reason to be slightly concerned about his development so far

I think they know what they have in Larsson and Reinhart is still a huge question mark. Playing Sam makes more sense to me to give a well-rounded evaluation.

That's my thought.

He’s as close to NHL ready as anyone in the draft and his skills just bolster that.

Sam Reinhart has few issues with his game, if any. He will be in the NHL next season, it’s just a matter of which team in the top three will take a stab at him.

At this point, you’d have to consider Reinhart a slam dunk to make the jump to the NHL next year, the only question remains whether or not he winds up being the #1 pick which appears to be all his right now.”

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

I haven’t noticed any flaws in Reinhart’s game. He’s as close to NHL ready as you can get.

Offensive: 10/10 Defensive: 3/10


These are all various scouting reports on Sam Reinhart before the 2014 NHL draft...

Clearly he has not lived up to the billing so far. I understand that hes still young but he was touted as the most NHL ready prospect in the entire draft and rated the best prospect in hockey. I think there is reason to be slightly concerned about his development so far
- MCGUIZZY

Most NHL ready, does not equate to being NHL ready though. It just means he is the closest.

How I interpret those things.

He’s as close to NHL ready as anyone in the draft and his skills just bolster that.

Sam Reinhart has few issues with his game, if any. He will be in the NHL next season, it’s just a matter of which team in the top three will take a stab at him.

At this point, you’d have to consider Reinhart a slam dunk to make the jump to the NHL next year, the only question remains whether or not he winds up being the #1 pick which appears to be all his right now.”

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

I haven’t noticed any flaws in Reinhart’s game. He’s as close to NHL ready as you can get.

Offensive: 10/10 Defensive: 3/10


These are all various scouting reports on Sam Reinhart before the 2014 NHL draft...

Clearly he has not lived up to the billing so far. I understand that hes still young but he was touted as the most NHL ready prospect in the entire draft and rated the best prospect in hockey. I think there is reason to be slightly concerned about his development so far
- MCGUIZZY

Honestly, not concerned at all. If he goes to the AHL and fails to take a big step, then I'd be worried.

Me thinks it will be Larsson sitting this one out
- cabin

He's been the best of those extra forwards though

Most NHL ready, does not equate to being NHL ready though. It just means he is the closest.

How I interpret those things.
- thatsapickle

3/10 defense?

Most NHL ready, does not equate to being NHL ready though. It just means he is the closest.

How I interpret those things.
- thatsapickle

But he wasnt/isnt that is my point

If it's about what's best for the team - and player development - in both the short and medium term - I say move Sammy R to Rochester and play Larsson. Quite simply, Larsson proved himself towards the end of last season. He is NHL ready, Reinhart isn't. Nothing to be ashamed of, some guys take a little longer to develop physically vs others. Why not have Reinhart gain confidence and play 20 minutes a game in Rochester? Even if it's only for 30 games?

However, my preferred option would be to dump Legwand, move Larsson to center the #4 line and have Sammy R center #3 with a couple of good wingers. But this won't happen.

But he wasnt/isnt that is my point
- MCGUIZZY

Projections aren't always accurate.

Personally, I don't read into what the "experts" say.

If it's about what's best for the team - and player development - in both the short and medium term - I say move Sammy R to Rochester and play Larsson. Quite simply, Larsson proved himself towards the end of last season. He is NHL ready, Reinhart isn't. Nothing to be ashamed of, some guys take a little longer to develop physically vs others. Why not have Reinhart gain confidence and play 20 minutes a game in Rochester? Even if it's only for 30 games?

However, my preferred option would be to dump Legwand, move Larsson to center the #4 line and have Sammy R center #3 with a couple of good wingers. But this won't happen.
- SabreWest

It seems like Larsson would not enjoy this either. He thinks he's a top 6 player.

It seems like Larsson would not enjoy this either. He thinks he's a top 6 player.
- thatsapickle

Larsson proves it though, everytime he is on the ice you notice him (in a good way) he gets to the dirty areas on the forecheck. He will earn his spot.

Larsson proves it though, everytime he is on the ice you notice him (in a good way) he gets to the dirty areas on the forecheck. He will earn his spot.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I won't deny that, but I was replying that someone wanted Larsson to be the 4C.

As an Islander fan, we have this same problem with primo prospects that has perplexed our mentally challenged coaching staff, for years now. I think the one thing you don't want is to put him on a fourth line where he's not getting much ice time or support from better players. He's a top line player everywhere else. When he's ready to be a top 6 starter, that's where you want him playing—instead of trying to force him into a role he's not used to playing. Your coach is a smarter man than ours. I'm sure he do the right thing.

Projections aren't always accurate.

Personally, I don't read into what the "experts" say.
- thatsapickle

I understand. I dont live and die by them. But the fact is we took him 2nd overall and so far he is not looking like the best forward taken in that draft. In fact i would rank multiple other players ahead of him. I never liked the pick but he here now and I just hope he can still turn into something special. Im not seeing the potential #1 center that he was once touted as tho.

I understand. I dont live and die by them. But the fact is we took him 2nd overall and so far he is not looking like the best forward taken in that draft. In fact i would rank multiple other players ahead of him. I never liked the pick but he here now and I just hope he can still turn into something special. Im not seeing the potential #1 center that he was once touted as tho.
- MCGUIZZY

Draisatl assigned. Bennett gets ice time on a less talented forward corps. We needed a center. Who's out shining him by such a huge degree?

Our favorite Columbus troll is back . 0 -4 is not good record for trolling.