2018-19 Roster Speculation Pt. 3: Started from the bottom now we're here

[joshjull]

I think there are a variety of reasons.

Some people want to tinker. Some people want to make agenda driven decisions. And then there are other people that want to not experiment at this time.

There are a variety of reasons for any idea out there.

Fair enough

 

[OkimLom]

some are hung up on the idea that he MUST be a center because he played that position in JUNIOR

Nope, his strengths lie more in playing the center position (support for defenseman, quick decision making to breakout to the wingers, and his IQ to read the plays) whereas his weaknesses are shown to be against the boards which include battling along the boards, and his balance in said battles. It also puts him position to read the play less and find open opportunities and therefore you're not bringing out the potential offensive creativity he possesses. The reason he played center in Junior is because his Junior coach was able to see this is where he's much more effective. It's also a reason why he played on the half-wall in Junior instead of in front of the net, so that his ability is utilized much more often. Also, on the WJC teams he played on for Team Canada, he played center with two quicker players in Domi and Duclair and turned out to be one of their most consistent lines.

 

[Reddawg]

Err...his ability to win battles along the boards has been one of his most consistent strengths this year, it’s led to several goals when he wins a double team and springs the open man for a 1 on 1.

 

[OkimLom]

Err...his ability to win battles along the boards has been one of his most consistent strengths this year, it’s led to several goals when he wins a double team and springs the open man for a 1 on 1.

I still consider it one of his weaknesses. Just because someone says "weakness" doesn't mean they are bad at it.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Did I say you?

I think there are people that are hung up on his draft position and justifying the pick.

The post I was replying to said some people and not all people.

Well just in case you mean me...that's not what I think either!

 

[Reddawg]

I still consider it one of his weaknesses. Just because someone says "weakness" doesn't mean they are bad at it.

Obviously

 

[Aladyyn]

He's got like 20 points in his last 20 games, I am not sure why we would shift him to centre right now....

Because we need to see what we've got before making a move for a center.

 

[Aladyyn]

I still consider it one of his weaknesses. Just because someone says "weakness" doesn't mean they are bad at it.

But he's, like, good at it? How can something you're good at be a weakness?

 

[Jim Bob]

But he's, like, good at it? How can something you're good at be a weakness?

You are freaking amazing at everything.

 

[ZZamboni]

Did I say you?

I think there are people that are hung up on his draft position and justifying the pick.

The post I was replying to said some people and not all people.

Some people are really really really obsessively hung up on players draft position when judging players. Years and years after their draft. I personally find it very weird.

 

[dkollidas]

Sam has not produced much of anything away from those two in his 3 previous seasons as a Sabre. Its not an indictment of him. More reflective of the overall roster. My post was also in response to Aladyyn saying... haven't we "established" that we shouldn't play Sam with our worst players". That's the only reason I used that word.

As for the reasons why he didn't produce anything in the first half last year. It was definitely impacted by his line mates. But I recall being lectured about how Sam makes everyone better around him or elevates their play. Yet those same voices blamed everyone around him for his lack of production. That's trying to have it both ways. Sam was a great complimentary player to our top talent. he was very effective with them. But it wasn't until this season IMO that we finally saw the player that can elevate players away from those two. Which is why I'm intrigued by the idea of trying him back at center again.

My only thing is, can’t he positively impact his linemates from the wing as well as center?

Not saying this to criticize you specifically, but he did spend some of that first half of last year jostling between center and wing. Eichel was on the “spittin chicklets” podcast over the summer, I think it’s part of Barstool Sports. And during the interview they brought up Reinhart, and Jack specifically said that when he talked with Sam he said he was more comfortable in the wing. So if I’m coaching and I see more production from a player on the wing, and he says he prefers to play him at wing, I’m likely going to play him at wing.

I believe Reinhart can still positively impact his linemates from the wing. It’s one reason that when Pominville is healthy or a Rochester player comes up and grabs a spot, I’d try to move Reinhart onto a line with Sheary, with Rodrigues possibly centering.

So when healthy, I would roll:
Skinner-Eichel-Pominville
Thompson-Mittelstadt-Okposo
Sheary-Rodrigues-Reinhart
Girgensons-Larsson-Berglund

 

[hizzoner]

I have no issue with trying Sam at centre again. I agree his vision and passing make him a natural there. The Knock on him at centre is dependent on who his line mates are and what Sam is expected to do defensively. Does he have the quickness to match up on the other team's breakout -especially on a pooched pinch by one of our D. Can he make the second pass out of our end quickly on our breakout--because he has not shown he can skate it out under pressure. I would not be averse to seeing him try--but you must be prepared to give him more than a couple shifts or even a couple games if you want to make it a fair test. Doing it while we are winning makes it more problematic to try it.

 

[Aladyyn]

Pretty sure Reinhart graded out as our best zone exit forward according to the numbers Berkshire used for his ratings. I'm not worried about that part of his game. And especially not if he gets guys like Sheary and Rodrigues on his wings.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

So when healthy, I would roll:
Skinner-Eichel-Pominville
Thompson-Mittelstadt-Okposo
Sheary-Rodrigues-Reinhart
Girgensons-Larsson-Berglund

I like this, but Rodrigues is better at W and Reinhart, whether he likes it or not, may very well be more valuable to the team at C. So switch those two and I like it even more. I still think Poms ultimately drags down that top line though, but there's only so many ways you can slice the pie with what's on the current roster.

 

[1972]

Because we need to see what we've got before making a move for a center.

We’re not trading for a second line centre.

 

[Aladyyn]

We’re not trading for a second line centre.

We might have to.

 

[1972]

We might have to.

I highly doubt Botterill is going to do anything more then trade a B prospect or mid round pick for anything. This isn’t a year to fill holes.

 

[Jim Bob]

I highly doubt Botterill is going to do anything more then trade a B prospect or mid round pick for anything. This isn’t a year to fill holes.

Plus, Housley is more worried about winning now than tinkering with the lineup to help Botterill make future decisions.

 

[EichHart]

I thought Reinhart was a great 2nd line center? What ever happened to that?

 

[1972]

Plus, Housley is more worried about winning now than tinkering with the lineup to help Botterill make future decisions.

Going out to find a second line centre would be the most Edmonton Oilers esque move of all time. It would be like Toronto trading for a top 4 D three years ago because they won a few games in a row.

When this team is actually legit, then you try and fill holes

 

[Zip15]

In re:long-term center deployment, Botts likely imagines Jack and Mitts producing the offense, while guys like Larsson and (eventually) Asplund and Malone take on defensive duties. I don't anticipate them looking to acquire a "top-6" center from outside the organization - if anything, they can use one of their multiple 1st round picks in the next two seasons to address that area.

 

[OkimLom]

Some people are really really really obsessively hung up on players draft position when judging players. Years and years after their draft. I personally find it very weird.

Except Girgensons. For some reason, nobody brings up the fact he was 1st round pick 14th overall when discussing him...The way people talk about him, you would think he was a 3rd round pick or later.

 

[Dirty Dog]

But he's, like, good at it? How can something you're good at be a weakness?

Because it’s relative to your other strengths

 

[Aladyyn]

Going out to find a second line centre would be the most Edmonton Oilers esque move of all time. It would be like Toronto trading for a top 4 D three years ago because they won a few games in a row.

When this team is actually legit, then you try and fill holes

Which is why I'm saying we need to see what we truly have in Reinhart. I think he can be the safety net.

 

[zenthusiast]

Except Girgensons. For some reason, nobody brings up the fact he was 1st round pick 14th overall when discussing him...The way people talk about him, you would think he was a 3rd round pick or later.

We've cycled through the stages of grief on that pick, and he's better than Grigs lol