I don't think Hughes and Gorton ever doubted his talent, there clearly was something that they knew about that told them that he was not right for the culture of this team.
The fact that by not picking him (Michkov), the team was going down an unsustainable model to compete continuously; was a huge huge risk. Much bigger risk then the risk of Michkov not coming to the NHL.
But I can understand if after some debate they went with the “safer” pick. Slaf had not yet shown anything and having your two 1st pick bust would probably not be very favourable… It was still a mistake but an understandably human one.
Them being unanimous about it is where I have a major problem. It show lack of different visions, that are needed when building a successful team, to cover the blind spots.
If we think about the winning models of the past 20+ years, they all have 2 or 3 superstars. At the time, Habs had no one apparent and the team was on verge of progressing in the standings, making a top pick become less and less likely. (Can you really plan a season ending injury by Dach, etc. )
Reinbacher will be a good player though. He will be very useful. Hughes said he has a #2 D ceiling. He will be an important player but he isn’t the player that changes the model in which the Habs were in.