JT3
Registered User
- May 27, 2013
- 1,037
- 1,718
Appreciate the response, I won't go as far as saying I felt attacked but general frustration at the mindset on this board sometimes. You see a whole lot of "if we don't draft x or if we pass on y it would be a huge mistake/i will be really disappointed". People don't want to entertain anybody outside of what they believe to be a consensus top 5, but how often does a draft really work out like that? Not only where a consensus pre-draft group all go within that group, but then all end up being the best of the draft? Without actually diving into it I would hazard a guess at never. Reviewing consensus or consolidated rankings can be valuable in a comparison sense, you can gauge how the league or scouts as a whole view players and compare that to how you view a player yourself, but it shouldn't be used as your whole evaluation (obviously). Scouting is an in-exact science and there isn't really a right or wrong opinion on draft day. You just need to do your due diligence, make your projections and pick the guy you think will provide the biggest impact on your team, regardless of what the rankings say.
On Reinbacher: you've asked on what his weaknesses are, the honest answer is it's hard to really pinpoint a real serious weakness. A lot of the intrigue with him is he is incredibly well rounded. If I had to pick some, his puckhandling and hands are pretty average, and there is some doubt about his overall offensive upside. He plays a very 'efficient' game, he doesn't have high end vision or playmaking skills, he has a solid shot but nothing outstanding. He creates offense by moving the puck up ice well and just by making consistent, smart, plays. I won't say that he is a spot on comparison, but I think if he really hits his upside he could have a Pietrangelo kind of impact. Not an offensive stud by any means, but he will put up points through smart plays and solid puck movement. I find his game to be very easily translatable, and he's already shown he can play and produce in a high level league even at a young age, which is a big plus.
I've never faulted anyone for preferring Smith, we can all see the offensive IQ and skill that kid has, I just question how likely he is to actually hit that high end potential. He really reminds me a lot of someone like Huberdeau, supremely talented, but is he able to drive the bus on his own at the next level? Or does he require a line that can provide him with time and space? I will say though that Marty's system could be a great fit for him, especially if guys like Dach/Slaf pan out or we acquire PLD. Big bodies like those guys that can create space for Smith and finish his plays could work really well.
