I think the reality is that Reinbacher was seen as the best prospect not named Michkov after the top 4 and that was seen by majority of the NHL hence the action around the pick and what we know about the teams trying to get the pick.
And that our scouting and management team aren't idiots that are surprised Michkov is a talented offensive player that scores in the NHL. Nobody is surprised Michkov is a good offensive player. It's the easiest call to make.
All of Reinbacher being seen as the next best pick after Michkov, the rarity of tall, smooth skating, right shot defenseman with high upside on the D side of the puck and great transition skills, coupled with the size of the potential forward group, the KHL contract and the fact Michkov wanted Philly and not San Jose, Montreal or Arizona, makes the calculus so that the management group decided that Reinbacher was the pick.
Everyone knew we weren't picking Michkov and they still acted like baboons when the selection happened. Even after the fact, it's all about us passing on Michkov and nothing about San Jose. We know Michkov is a better prospect than Will Smith. So if San Jose, Montreal and Arizona went in a different direction, maybe there's some massive truth to how Michkov played the process. Which he has every right to do. I much prefer what he did to Gauthier who told Philly he wanted to be a Flyer and then made them trade him at a massive loss.
The reason why we don't discuss the merit of Reinbacher is that the other side of the fence won't hear it or have a logical discussion about it. Every time Michkov does something, the worse Reinbacher becomes, I had a guy on Twitter say Reinbacher will never even play for the Habs now. It's so sensationalist.
It's pretty demeaning that people think that the scouting staff and management team are so stupid that they didn't know Michkov was an elite offensive talent. Everyone knew. That isn't a scouting masterclass.
They just looked at everything and made the decision to take Reinbacher. Which is a completely reasonable decision to make when you consider the talent, the rarity of the prospect and what Michkov wanted. Management teams don't generally invest a 5th overall pick on a guy that isn't all in on being a Hab. The reality is if that's the case you absolutely don't want a Gauthier situation where a few years later you have to sell him at a loss because he threatens to extend in the KHL.
It isn't a coincidence that they used the term culture with Reinbacher. It wasn't an attack on Michkovs character. It was a statement that Reinbacher wanted to be a Hab and Michkov wanted to be a Flyer.
Here's the thing...whether it's through stupidity or the job is tough to predict, they all make mistakes. But tell me this....right d-man is STILL a necessity. Frankly, it will always be. For us, who do we have at right? So tell me this....why Demidov instead of Yakemchuck? a Big d-man with tons of potential? Why Slaf instead of Nemec? 'Cause in the end, they prefer the non RD player than the RD player. Well that's what they did there. Prefered the RD thinking he was a better prospect. Over Michkov, Leonard or whoever.
But you know my take on the subject, when they said if he wouldn't have been picked RD...they would have probably go in a different direction, I think it's bogus.
This year...Tomas Lavoie is a righty with huge potential too....but we went Logan Sawyer. And frankly, I'm fine as, to me, it sounds more like they went BPA than needs. Yet you are advocating that NEEDS NEEDED to be front and center of that pick. I will not understand.
I do not see what Reinbacher did pre-draft that made him a top 5 pick. I will always believe that you don't go solely Defensive if you got top 5. You have to project offense. People will talk about how he had an interesting season in NL...1 season...with 3 goals. But NL isn't exactly a top end NHL providers. There were a few players that we know....but it's still rare.
I don't doubt he will help. The kid has indeed some fine defensive fundamentals. To me it just sounds more No4. And to me, that's not my understanding of a top 5 prospect.
One thing he better be though 'cause THAT will be the end of it....he better be the best RD of his draft year. Willander, Bonk and Sandin-Pelikka better not top him....'cause that will be the end of the argument...