Prospect Info: David Reinbacher - Laval Rocket edition

[montreal]

I didn't want us to draft Michkov or Reinbacher, I have said I think Michkov is a better Caufield and I just don't know if you can win with the 2 of them on your top line and at the time we didn't have much else that would say push one of them to the 2nd line. Reinbacher I only saw very little of at the WJC's and was not impressed at all. He's looked pretty good in Laval though so for now I have him as a good bet to be a solid 2nd pairing two way type. I really thought for sure that Will Smith was going to fall to us and that he was 100% our pick, glad I didn't bet on it.

 

[CzarDemidov]

I would've drafted a surefire #1 Center who is 6ft5 and hits like a truck over a 4th line winger with hands made of stone who can barely skate and is also 5ft3.

When you are at the draft table, and you are picking 5th overall, the [positive attributes used to describe player who is currently struggling to stand out in the AHL] is going to have way more value than [negative attributes to describe other player who had a terrific rookie season in the NHL]!!

 

[CzarDemidov]

I didn't want us to draft Michkov or Reinbacher, I have said I think Michkov is a better Caufield and I just don't know if you can win with the 2 of them on your top line and at the time we didn't have much else that would say push one of them to the 2nd line. Reinbacher I only saw very little of at the WJC's and was not impressed at all. He's looked pretty good in Laval though so for now I have him as a good bet to be a solid 2nd pairing two way type. I really thought for sure that Will Smith was going to fall to us and that he was 100% our pick, glad I didn't bet on it.

You would've taken Michkov and dealt with the size issue if and when it came up. Caufield could be dealt if Michkov take off.

I understood, understand, and will forever understand the Habs' decision to take Reino when they did. I don't understand why some fans (not you) have to make up reasons to "justify" what doesn't need justification.

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Just for curiosity, if Levshunov and Demidov were available at the 5th overall selection last year with only the things we know at that time, do you still take Demidov or that smooth skating RD Levshunov ?

There’s probably a lot of homerism in my answer but I think Demidov is closer to a Kucherov/Kaprizov type franchise winger while Mitchkov is a deluxe complimentary player, a notch over Caufield and probably a 90 point first line player but not a driver. I could be wrong of course, but I’d still take Demidov over Levshunov and Reinbacher and I’d take Mitchkov after both as well. Now I might take Matthew Schaefer ahead of everyone there but that’s not the debate

 

[montreal]

You would've taken Michkov and dealt with the size issue if and when it came up. Caufield could be dealt if Michkov take off.

I understood, understand, and will forever understand the Habs' decision to take Reino when they did. I don't understand why some fans (not you) have to make up reasons to "justify" what doesn't need justification.

Dealing Caufield would be risky though as imo many fans under value the importance of how players fit in the locker room. How would Suzuki have liked it vs the rumors of Michkov not being well liked by his teammates (if they were true, as fans we can't know which is why teams pay people to find this kind of stuff out)

What pisses me off about the Reinbacher and Slaf picks, at least imo was they didn't go BPA, they took them for their size and RD, which I just don't like that line of thinking. To me it's always BPA unless it's a goalie and then I would have to think long and hard about that one.

 

[River Meadow]

Dealing Caufield would be risky though as imo many fans under value the importance of how players fit in the locker room. How would Suzuki have liked it vs the rumors of Michkov not being well liked by his teammates (if they were true, as fans we can't know which is why teams pay people to find this kind of stuff out)

What pisses me off about the Reinbacher and Slaf picks, at least imo was they didn't go BPA, they took them for their size and RD, which I just don't like that line of thinking. To me it's always BPA unless it's a goalie and then I would have to think long and hard about that one.

For the Reinbacher draft, there are a ton of other BPA candidates, so no need to discuss that,

But for the Slaf pick... I'm guessing Cooley was the easy pick in terms of BPA, heh?

 

[River Meadow]

I didn't want us to draft Michkov or Reinbacher, I have said I think Michkov is a better Caufield and I just don't know if you can win with the 2 of them on your top line and at the time we didn't have much else that would say push one of them to the 2nd line. Reinbacher I only saw very little of at the WJC's and was not impressed at all. He's looked pretty good in Laval though so for now I have him as a good bet to be a solid 2nd pairing two way type. I really thought for sure that Will Smith was going to fall to us and that he was 100% our pick, glad I didn't bet on it.

Who did you like?

Leonard?

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Dealing Caufield would be risky though as imo many fans under value the importance of how players fit in the locker room. How would Suzuki have liked it vs the rumors of Michkov not being well liked by his teammates (if they were true, as fans we can't know which is why teams pay people to find this kind of stuff out)

What pisses me off about the Reinbacher and Slaf picks, at least imo was they didn't go BPA, they took them for their size and RD, which I just don't like that line of thinking. To me it's always BPA unless it's a goalie and then I would have to think long and hard about that one.

I’d argue that we don’t know yet about the BPA thing. Slaf was my favorite player ahead of the draft since November that year, now maybe Cooley will be better in the end but I’m still quite happy with the pick and the potential. I was pissed for Reinbacher at first, I haven’t seen him play as much as you have, but I love what I saw when I watched him and I think he too could be in the conversation for BPA at that pick, he was sought after by quite a few teams who wanted to trade up at that pick and grab him. I think the habs just really liked both players and the uniqueness of the whole package they provided, I don’t think they went for need as much as for rarity and what it’s worth around the league. We’ll see in a few years I guess

 

[montreal]

Who did you like?

Leonard?

I was 100% convinced that our pick was going to be Will Smith, but once he was picked, Leonard would likely have been my pick.

I’d argue that we don’t know yet about the BPA thing. Slaf was my favorite player ahead of the draft since November that year, now maybe Cooley will be better in the end but I’m still quite happy with the pick and the potential. I was pissed for Reinbacher at first, I haven’t seen him play as much as you have, but I love what I saw when I watched him and I think he too could be in the conversation for BPA at that pick, he was sought after by quite a few teams who wanted to trade up at that pick and grab him. I think the habs just really liked both players and the uniqueness of the whole package they provided, I don’t think they went for need as much as for rarity and what it’s worth around the league. We’ll see in a few years I guess

Well there's BPA at the time and there's BPA 10 years later. Take Mason West as an example. Right now he's not like BPA but 10 years from now people could be saying how he he ever fall to wherever he goes in the draft. There's a good reason why people that scout 17/18 year olds for a living, get it wrong so much of the time as projecting 5-10 years down the road is just so tough.

I was all on board for Frank Nazar, I think he's going to be a star in the NHL, I would have loved to get Cooley and Nazar as it could have done wonders for our forward prospect group at the time. But I can see why they picked Slaf and Reinbacher, as you are going to get NHLers when you have guys that big that have enough skill, just a question of how good will they be.

 

[Paddyjack]

Dealing Caufield would be risky though as imo many fans under value the importance of how players fit in the locker room. How would Suzuki have liked it vs the rumors of Michkov not being well liked by his teammates (if they were true, as fans we can't know which is why teams pay people to find this kind of stuff out)

What pisses me off about the Reinbacher and Slaf picks, at least imo was they didn't go BPA, they took them for their size and RD, which I just don't like that line of thinking. To me it's always BPA unless it's a goalie and then I would have to think long and hard about that one.

I can understand the argument about Michkov being BPA, but I hope you are not saying that Cooley was seen as the BPA by the time of the draft. I'm pretty sure Wright would have been that guy at the time, not anyone else (at least by the vas majority of people)

 

[montreal]

I can understand the argument about Michkov being BPA, but I hope you are not saying that Cooley was seen as the BPA by the time of the draft. I'm pretty sure Wright would have been that guy at the time, not anyone else (at least by the vas majority of people)

For sure Cooley was seen as BPA as he had high end play making skills, IQ, skating. I actually liked Nazar more when I saw them in their draft year as I was concerned that Cooley was too soft while Nazar had some jam to his game but I felt Cooley was more skilled. I liked Wright early on but in his draft year I was not impressed at all and wanted no part of him. Not that I didn't think he would be an NHLer but I had concerns about how good he looked at 15/16 vs 17. I wouldn't have been mad if he was the pick, just had some concerns.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Dealing Caufield would be risky though as imo many fans under value the importance of how players fit in the locker room. How would Suzuki have liked it vs the rumors of Michkov not being well liked by his teammates (if they were true, as fans we can't know which is why teams pay people to find this kind of stuff out)

What pisses me off about the Reinbacher and Slaf picks, at least imo was they didn't go BPA, they took them for their size and RD, which I just don't like that line of thinking. To me it's always BPA unless it's a goalie and then I would have to think long and hard about that one.

I think they legitimately thought Slaf was BPA. I'd wager that they still do and pick him there if they got a do-over.

Reinbacher was probably more about position, but they clearly weren't the only team that liked him in that spot. I also have no idea what the opinion on him would be right now if post-draft he didn't play on a bad NLA team and then miss most of this season. And Finding good top-4 RD is incredibly difficult.

 

[montreal]

I think they legitimately thought Slaf was BPA. I'd wager that they still do and pick him there if they got a do-over.

Reinbacher was probably more about position, but they clearly weren't the only team that liked him in that spot. I also have no idea what the opinion on him would be right now if post-draft he didn't play on a bad NLA team and then miss most of this season. And Finding good top-4 RD is incredibly difficult.

For me I have questions on how skilled Slaf is so I do think they picked him more for his size then his skill level but I didn't watch too much of him in Liiga. I like to wait 5 years after a draft and 10 years tells the tale so we'll see. I hope he becomes the best player in the league one day.

Reinbacher for sure had something to do with position as Hughes even said at the draft if he was a LD they may not have picked him or something to that effect. It can be tough to gauge players that are on either really good or really bad teams since hockey is so much a team sport but for me the concerns I had with Reinbacher after watching him in the NL was the kind of mistakes he was making.

 

[River Meadow]

I can understand the argument about Michkov being BPA, but I hope you are not saying that Cooley was seen as the BPA by the time of the draft. I'm pretty sure Wright would have been that guy at the time, not anyone else (at least by the vas majority of people)

No, not after his OHL playoff showing, which was pre-draft.

That's a huge reason why Wright's stock tanked.

 

[Paddyjack]

No, not after his OHL playoff showing, which was pre-draft.

That's a huge reason why Wright's stock tanked.

It's true, but he was still seen more than Cooley. I'm pretty sure the description about Cooley was "very dynamic, but small", and I doubt many people saw him as 1OA even with Wright tanking

 

[River Meadow]

It's true, but he was still seen more than Cooley. I'm pretty sure the description about Cooley was "very dynamic, but small", and I doubt many people saw him as 1OA even with Wright tanking

Yeah, but I think without Slaf's cinderella route to the draft, i.e his performances at the Olympics, etc, and his sheer size, the Habs go with Cooley, especially given Hughes' ties with USA hockey and that group at the time.

Funny enough, Cooley is 6ft now, apparently. He was 5ft10 in draft year.

 

[OnTheRun]

No, not after his OHL playoff showing, which was pre-draft.

That's a huge reason why Wright's stock tanked.

His stock tanked in mid-year, before that point he was unchallenged at #1. By then it was clear he wasn't going to break the OHL in half during his D0 and that changed the whole board.

 

[River Meadow]

His stock tanked in mid-year, before that point he was unchallenged at #1. By then it was clear he wasn't going to break the OHL in half during his D0 and that changed the whole board.

You're right.

His playoffs however highlighted even to the most copium of fans that he should probably not be the pick (though some still wanted him).

 

[JustStopThePuck]

Really wish I could read some Reinbacher chat in here for once.

 

[Captain Mountain]

For me I have questions on how skilled Slaf is so I do think they picked him more for his size then his skill level but I didn't watch too much of him in Liiga. I like to wait 5 years after a draft and 10 years tells the tale so we'll see. I hope he becomes the best player in the league one day.

Reinbacher for sure had something to do with position as Hughes even said at the draft if he was a LD they may not have picked him or something to that effect. It can be tough to gauge players that are on either really good or really bad teams since hockey is so much a team sport but for me the concerns I had with Reinbacher after watching him in the NL was the kind of mistakes he was making.

Really? I think Slaf is incredibly skilled, to me the question was always/is more about whether he can do it consistently and if he has the hockey sense to be a true impact player.

I think especially early in their tenure, the current management team wanted to build a competitive advantage around the idea that "hockey sense" could be taught. And to some degree they were probably right, but not to the degree they were probably betting on. They liked Slaf and Reinbacher not just because of size or position, but also because they have a lot of desirable attributes and tools. It was the same logic which was applied to the Dach and Newhook trades (players who had tools and draft pedigree but hadn't figured it out at the NHL level).

Like, Reinbacher has shown some questionable decision making, but he's got a decent shot, good passing and really nice mobility to go with his size. If you think the decision making can be improved, then he makes perfect sense as a high draft pick. And I think it can, but it will probably require patience and time if its ever going to happen.

Their moves basically since after the 2023 draft haven't fit that mold as much, and I'm hopeful they spend more time looking at players who are effective at playing with pace at the NHL level (especially guys who can engage physically).

 

[Redux91]

Really wish I could read some Reinbacher chat in here for once.

All the threads get poisoned the minute the off-season starts lol

It's a god damn shame really

 

[OnTheRun]

Really wish I could read some Reinbacher chat in here for once.

I'm he got the tools and the toolbox to become something really interesting at the NHL level. The issue is he hasn't played enough so far, so discussion about the player are stuck in either the real of projection or overly focus on the good/bad of a very limited sample size. /shrug

 

[Paddyjack]

I'm he got the tools and the toolbox to become something really interesting at the NHL level. The issue is he hasn't played enough so far, so discussion about the player are stuck in either the real of projection or overly focus on the good/bad of a very limited sample size. /shrug

This, and also, Laval is on some sort of break right now, so I guess discussions about him will resume in the next round

 

[montreal]

Really? I think Slaf is incredibly skilled, to me the question was always/is more about whether he can do it consistently and if he has the hockey sense to be a true impact player.

I think especially early in their tenure, the current management team wanted to build a competitive advantage around the idea that "hockey sense" could be taught. And to some degree they were probably right, but not to the degree they were probably betting on. They liked Slaf and Reinbacher not just because of size or position, but also because they have a lot of desirable attributes and tools. It was the same logic which was applied to the Dach and Newhook trades (players who had tools and draft pedigree but hadn't figured it out at the NHL level).

Like, Reinbacher has shown some questionable decision making, but he's got a decent shot, good passing and really nice mobility to go with his size. If you think the decision making can be improved, then he makes perfect sense as a high draft pick. And I think it can, but it will probably require patience and time if its ever going to happen.

Their moves basically since after the 2023 draft haven't fit that mold as much, and I'm hopeful they spend more time looking at players who are effective at playing with pace at the NHL level (especially guys who can engage physically).

I think he's got a decent shot but I don't like the passing, I don't watch too much of the Habs so maybe he's improved there.

 

[Habs]

I didn't want us to draft Michkov or Reinbacher, I have said I think Michkov is a better Caufield and I just don't know if you can win with the 2 of them on your top line and at the time we didn't have much else that would say push one of them to the 2nd line. Reinbacher I only saw very little of at the WJC's and was not impressed at all. He's looked pretty good in Laval though so for now I have him as a good bet to be a solid 2nd pairing two way type. I really thought for sure that Will Smith was going to fall to us and that he was 100% our pick, glad I didn't bet on it.

Michkov or Leonard would have been the better choice, and Reinbacher still hasn't impressed me. People are reaching for compliments at this point. 'The way Reinbacher reaches in the corners and comes out with the puck 40% of the time is a clear example of why you always take a RHD when available' just total nonsense. He's a 4-5 RHD at this progression, so yay ?