Prospect Info: David Reinbacher - Laval Rocket edition

[Andrei79]

Care to elaborate?

I think @Habs probably hurt someones feelings and is in detention again.

 

[Habs]

Care to elaborate?

just warming up for when I get my GIFS back, keeping you on your toes.

 

[Habs]

I think @Habs probably hurt someones feelings and is in detention again.

Fetal Postion.gif

 

[Guiness time]

I admit I have not watched much of the Laval - Cleveland series, but from what I did see, Reinbacher looks good. I am a bit surprised to read that some doubt his # 5 draft spot. His shot is solid, he jumps into the play and definitely has some good offensive instincts. I will definitely be watching closely and I will try to snag some tickets tomorrow. Nothing like seeing them live to evaluate a player's game (not that I think I am some sort of scout!!!).

 

[Tanknomore]

I admit I have not watched much of the Laval - Cleveland series, but from what I did see, Reinbacher looks good. I am a bit surprised to read that some doubt his # 5 draft spot. His shot is solid, he jumps into the play and definitely has some good offensive instincts. I will definitely be watching closely and I will try to snag some tickets tomorrow. Nothing like seeing them live to evaluate a player's game (not that I think I am some sort of scout!!!).

**Scout alert** I will be sure to give certain prospects the heads up you are coming.

 

[Habs]

I admit I have not watched much of the Laval - Cleveland series, but from what I did see, Reinbacher looks good. I am a bit surprised to read that some doubt his # 5 draft spot. His shot is solid, he jumps into the play and definitely has some good offensive instincts. I will definitely be watching closely and I will try to snag some tickets tomorrow. Nothing like seeing them live to evaluate a player's game (not that I think I am some sort of scout!!!).

with that generic scouting report, you basically described every hockey player ever drafted. However you could still have done better than Timmins/Bergevin over the last 15 years for sure.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I saw him again two days ago and he hasn't progressed. He's just not trending in the right direction.

The tools are there but he doesn't use them and has absolutely no fire in him.

I'm also puzzled by the comparison to Ekblad and Dobson just above. I mean, WTF?

People are delusional around here. He hasn’t progressed at all since being drafted, looks literally exactly the same. He was a 5th overall pick and this is a passionate fanbase, so you’re going to see tons of cope, excuses, and pie-in-the-sky fantasies about his potential. Yes, he’s had injuries, but you’d like to see some kind of progression, even if modest. Like you said, it just isn’t there. People stating the obvious are going to get attacked though, for the aforementioned reasons. f*** it though; it’s fair to point it out.

If he can’t produce in the AHL, he sure as hell won’t in the NHL. It’s seriously looking like his NHL upside is a slightly taller RHD version of Josh Gorges at this point. Tbh, I think we’d be lucky to even get that out of him.

 

[Maitz]

I saw him again two days ago and he hasn't progressed. He's just not trending in the right direction.

The tools are there but he doesn't use them and has absolutely no fire in him.

I'm also puzzled by the comparison to Ekblad and Dobson just above. I mean, WTF?

It's his first NA playoffs and yes he seemed overwhelmed a bit but I won't say he hasn't progressed. If you watch Ekblad closely you will see his gap closing and his positionning in the D zone is pretty good. He uses his body to his advantage so yes I see similarities

 

[Kojo]

The sample size is too low to reach any conclusion. He already looks like he could play on a bottom pair in the NHL but his ceiling is unknown.

 

[Erika]

People are delusional around here. He hasn’t progressed at all since being drafted, looks literally exactly the same. He was a 5th overall pick and this is a passionate fanbase, so you’re going to see tons of cope, excuses, and pie-in-the-sky fantasies about his potential. Yes, he’s had injuries, but you’d like to see some kind of progression, even if modest. Like you said, it just isn’t there. People stating the obvious are going to get attacked though, for the aforementioned reasons. f*** it though; it’s fair to point it out.

If he can’t produce in the AHL, he sure as hell won’t in the NHL. It’s seriously looking like his NHL upside is a slightly taller RHD version of Josh Gorges at this point. Tbh, I think we’d be lucky to even get that out of him.

One of the worst take I've ever read on this boards wow. Reinbacher will be the #2 defenceman for the Habs in a few years. It's clear as water to me. He has all the tools, has high hockey IQ (the most important quality for a hockey player). There's absolutely no reasons to think that he can't be at least a #3 on the Habs D core.

Coming from someone who's stating that Carter Bear has comparable hockey IQ to Nick Suzuki in their draft year... yeah, I wouldn’t trust any words coming from you regarding your player evaluations.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Seen a couple of videos but have not watched any Rocket games. How's Reinbacher doing in the playoffs?

More interested in context that talks about his D zone coverage and puck battle skills. Also how he is at making the right passes to exit our zone.

 

[Habs Halifax]

People are delusional around here. He hasn’t progressed at all since being drafted, looks literally exactly the same. He was a 5th overall pick and this is a passionate fanbase, so you’re going to see tons of cope, excuses, and pie-in-the-sky fantasies about his potential. Yes, he’s had injuries, but you’d like to see some kind of progression, even if modest. Like you said, it just isn’t there. People stating the obvious are going to get attacked though, for the aforementioned reasons. f*** it though; it’s fair to point it out.

If he can’t produce in the AHL, he sure as hell won’t in the NHL. It’s seriously looking like his NHL upside is a slightly taller RHD version of Josh Gorges at this point. Tbh, I think we’d be lucky to even get that out of him.

Are you evaluating a young 2 way defenseman on points approach? Come on man.

Yeah, there is still some potential layer of disappointment with this pick but the scale is more weighted on the other side where he developing well and focusing on the primary task... with is playing defense. We didn't make this pick thinking we were getting a 50+ pts defenseman. More like 40 pts (+/-) but very good all around game and someone with size/skating and can move the puck.

Boring long term development pick yes but RD's with skating/size/shot are not easy to acquire. The tools are there and our management is grooming him the right way. Build his strengths from the D side first and then let him grow offensively later.

I'm guessing you think this will be another KK situation but this time, our management is not rushing the kid. We will see because it's way to early to act with ignorance thinking we can predict the future.

 

[JackZap]

Guy needs another year with Laval

 

[Habs Halifax]

Guy needs another year with Laval

I'm not surprised. This was a long term project pick at RD like Kotkaniemi was at C. Not saying he will disappoint like KK but it was a longer development type pick.

I would consider Reinbacher and picks for Dobson. Not because I dislike Reinbacher... more about adding someone in the heat of our core and can play RD for us now.

 

[Andrei79]

I'm not surprised. This was a long term project pick at RD like Kotkaniemi was at C. Not saying he will disappoint like KK but it was a longer development type pick.

I would consider Reinbacher and picks for Dobson. Not because I dislike Reinbacher... more about adding someone in the heat of our core and can play RD for us now.

It really wasn't a KK like development pick at all. What do you mean by that, which parts of his game did you feel were raw like KK ?

 

[Erika]

I'm not surprised. This was a long term project pick at RD like Kotkaniemi was at C. Not saying he will disappoint like KK but it was a longer development type pick.

I would consider Reinbacher and picks for Dobson. Not because I dislike Reinbacher... more about adding someone in the heat of our core and can play RD for us now.

Reinbacher was one of the most ready prospects in that draft year. He was playing with men in the National Swiss league for 2 years. It was also one of the reasons he was rated high and a relatively safe pick. He was never a long term project like Kotkaniemi... I'm not sure where is that coming from.

 

[Jabba11]

This is crazy. I'm reading how people comparing him to a taller Josh Gorges?

We have to learn from our mistakes:
1) Trading Ryan McDonagh (then, we had PK Subban) for Gomez - one of the worst trades in our team's history
2) Trading away PK Subban for Shea Weber (Weber 1st year or so was great, but injuries and was on the back 9 of his career) - not the worst trade but check my next point
3) When we traded away PK for Weber, we had a young and promising prospect in Mikhail Sergachev in our system. But then once again, Marc Bergevin's obsession with a "1C" got him trading away our PK replacement in Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin in the hopes he turns out a 1C.
4) Trading away Sergachev and with Drouin never panning out in Montreal, it has created such low years in a row of lacking a sound defenseman.

David Reinbacher has all the tools and physical attributes to become a 2-way logging machine for us. He is only 20 years old. If you give up on him now, we could be looking at many more years of a weak bad end. Reinbacher needs to remain healthy and continue his progression. Don't give up on him, he is a stud and plays the game the right way. He would be the perfect perfect complement to Lane Hutson. Even more than Kaiden Guhle

Hutson - Reinbacher
Guhle

If reaching their potential, that's a pretty good top 3. Reinbacher also brings the big boy physicality we lacked in the playoffs.

It's the AHL playoffs, a kid who came back from a knee surgery/injury. His 5th overall position was justified and he's gonna be exactly what we need. Nobody needs to be a freaking PMD or Makar. We need a Reinbacher in the playoffs. The kid can skate, hit, join the rush, defend, gap control is next level, passing and slapper is there, he's the whole package. Maybe he doesn't seem too urgent with his play and "involved" but that's his personality. TVASports were bashing him because he didn't seem to interested in his interview. I don't care. Maybe that his calm personality will translate into a calm and poise defenseman.

 

[JianYang]

People are delusional around here. He hasn’t progressed at all since being drafted, looks literally exactly the same. He was a 5th overall pick and this is a passionate fanbase, so you’re going to see tons of cope, excuses, and pie-in-the-sky fantasies about his potential. Yes, he’s had injuries, but you’d like to see some kind of progression, even if modest. Like you said, it just isn’t there. People stating the obvious are going to get attacked though, for the aforementioned reasons. f*** it though; it’s fair to point it out.

If he can’t produce in the AHL, he sure as hell won’t in the NHL. It’s seriously looking like his NHL upside is a slightly taller RHD version of Josh Gorges at this point. Tbh, I think we’d be lucky to even get that out of him.

Even if you are right by saying he is the exact same player thay they drafted, which I'm not saying you are, it cannot be underestimated how much a kick in the nuts it is to lose a prospect for essentially a full year at this particular stage in their development.

This is crucial development time that doesn't come back... and you dont get development through rehab. He's essentially one year older in life but the same age as before in his hockey evolution.

 

[crosbyshow]

Reinbacher...will be...a stud....!!!

Those who thinks that Mailloux will have a better career are...wrong in my humble opinion.

Mailloux has his head in the clouds in his own zone very often and as a d...it is a huge red flag for me.

He is often flat food in the neutral zone when there is a turn over...again a huge problem especially vs Nhl stars.


Reinbacher on the other hand will be a stud in his zone and 5 vs 5...any NHl coach would love him...so important for a d.


His reach and lateral movement will make him so hard to beat at his prime.

Mailloux has one elite quality..his deadly shot...wrist and slap shot..so heavy.

Reinbacher has a very good shot as well but not like Mailloux.

Overall I would take Reinbacher over him easily

 

[Garbageyuk]

One of the worst take I've ever read on this boards wow. Reinbacher will be the #2 defenceman for the Habs in a few years. It's clear as water to me. He has all the tools, has high hockey IQ (the most important quality for a hockey player). There's absolutely no reasons to think that he can't be at least a #3 on the Habs D core.

Coming from someone who's stating that Carter Bear has comparable hockey IQ to Nick Suzuki in their draft year... yeah, I wouldn’t trust any words coming from you regarding your player evaluations.

Lol, you have no idea what’s going to happen one way or the other.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Reinbacher...will be...a stud....!!!

Those who thinks that Mailloux will have a better career are...wrong in my humble opinion.

Mailloux has his head in the clouds in his own zone very often and as a d...it is a huge red flag for me.

He is often flat food in the neutral zone when there is a turn over...again a huge problem especially vs Nhl stars.


Reinbacher on the other hand will be a stud in his zone and 5 vs 5...any NHl coach would love him...so important for a d.


His reach and lateral movement will make him so hard to beat at his prime.

Mailloux has one elite quality..his deadly shot...wrist and slap shot..so heavy.

Reinbacher has a very good shot as well but not like Mailloux.

Overall I would take Reinbacher over him easily

Mailloux’s overall offensive skills are pretty elite. Damn fine passer.

If he can get his feet quicker and cut down the mistakes he can be great for us. My optimism is waning but I wouldn’t give up on him. Needs to still really improve there though

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

One of the worst take I've ever read on this boards wow. Reinbacher will be the #2 defenceman for the Habs in a few years. It's clear as water to me. He has all the tools, has high hockey IQ (the most important quality for a hockey player). There's absolutely no reasons to think that he can't be at least a #3 on the Habs D core.

Coming from someone who's stating that Carter Bear has comparable hockey IQ to Nick Suzuki in their draft year... yeah, I wouldn’t trust any words coming from you regarding your player evaluations.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Are you evaluating a young 2 way defenseman on points approach? Come on man.

Yeah, there is still some potential layer of disappointment with this pick but the scale is more weighted on the other side where he developing well and focusing on the primary task... with is playing defense. We didn't make this pick thinking we were getting a 50+ pts defenseman. More like 40 pts (+/-) but very good all around game and someone with size/skating and can move the puck.

Boring long term development pick yes but RD's with skating/size/shot are not easy to acquire. The tools are there and our management is grooming him the right way. Build his strengths from the D side first and then let him grow offensively later.

I'm guessing you think this will be another KK situation but this time, our management is not rushing the kid. We will see because it's way to early to act with ignorance thinking we can predict the future.

Who said it’s strictly a points approach? He look mediocre defensively in Laval as well, is not particularly effective physically, doesn’t have a big shot, etc. And points will always be part of it, like it or not.

Again, a Reinbacher that doesn’t produce points is just a taller RHD Josh Gorges - a guy who is below average to average defensively on his best nights, is not physically imposing, is not a shooting threat, but can eat up 20 relatively quiet minutes most of the time. Not a terrible thing to have, but for a 5th overall pick? Yikes.

 

[JadedRandom]

Who said it’s strictly a points approach? He look mediocre defensively in Laval as well, is not particularly effective physically, doesn’t have a big shot, etc. And points will always be part of it, like it or not.

Again, a Reinbacher that doesn’t produce points is just a taller RHD Josh Gorges - a guy who is below average to average defensively on his best nights, is not physically imposing, is not a shooting threat, but can eat up 20 relatively quiet minutes most of the time. Not a terrible thing to have, but for a 5th overall pick? Yikes.

If that's your view of Reinbacher I seriously wonder what games you've been watching.

He's been very solid for the Rocket in the games that I've seen, and I've seen them all.

Maybe you see things differently.

Also, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you consider Josh Gorges "average to below-average" defensively on his "best nights" then I think you're way overrating the "average" of the NHL.

 

[Garbageyuk]

If that's your view of Reinbacher I seriously wonder what games you've been watching.

He's been very solid for the Rocket in the games that I've seen, and I've seen them all.

Maybe you see things differently.

Also, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you consider Josh Gorges "average to below-average" defensively on his "best nights" then I think you're way overrating the "average" of the NHL.

Reinbacher has been okay defensively and positionally in the AHL. Does his injury merit some patience and leeway? Yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s unfair to call it how it is. This “best player on the ice despite no points” cope narrative you hear from some around here is just plain BS. He still makes a lot of mistakes positionally and defensively, can be physical at times, but is not anywhere near impactful in that regard, and he’s not an offensive threat and isn’t producing. Again, he’s been okay given the circumstances. Not sure what you wanna hear. Do you want me to lie?

As for Gorges, yes he was pretty much average defensively. He just happened to be average at the thing he was best at, so maybe you’re remembering him as better than he was because of it. Keep in mind that he was deployed as a #3/4 at his peak, and was almost never matched up against opposing teams’ best players unless out of necessity (injuries). He had his moments, but I think we can both agree that he was never anywhere near the best defensive D in the league. Today that’s guys like Slavin, Tanev, Eckholm, Forsling, etc. Gorges was never anywhere near that tier, as much as he cared and tried.