Prospect Info: David Reinbacher

[417]

I know what you are saying, I don't entirely disagree. I'm just saying take the BPA and never draft by position. If Kent legit thought Reinbacher was the BPA, and the scouts did, I would question the draft decision making that year. They got it right with Demidov and so many others, I just don't see anything yet with this kid. If I'm wrong, I'll eat it

Ugghhh so sick of this BPA term lol the Montreal Canadiena picked Reinbacher where they did because they thought he was the best player available.

Every pick every team makes they make it because they think they're drafting the best player available to them at the time.

But “BPA” in today's NHL, can't be separated from the team building aspect. Players are expected to contribute alot sooner now.

They thought DR would fit better in that context

Time will tell

 

[Goldthorpe]

I know what you are saying, I don't entirely disagree. I'm just saying take the BPA and never draft by position.

"Never draft by position" is what you and I and most people around here believed 20 years ago when we joined that discussion board. But I feel the NHL has changed since then. Prospects are more ready than before and play in the NHL sooner than before. And the cap have made trading players around to make your lineup more difficult, so it has become more important to actually taylor your draft on your franchise needs (up to a point).

 

[Habs]

Ugghhh so sick of this BPA term lol the Montreal Canadiena picked Reinbacher where they did because they thought he was the best player available.

Every pick every team makes they make it because they think they're drafting the best player available to them at the time.

But “BPA” in today's NHL, can't be separated from the team building aspect. Players are expected to contribute alot sooner now.

They thought DR would fit better in that context

Time will tell

I disagree I think they tried to fill a void and not go BPA. I agree with most of what you say though, so it's all good. Nothing wrong with the back and fourth banter, we will never change each other's minds lol

 

[BaseballCoach]

I want our #5 overall to play like the guy we drafted at #62 overall, is that too much? It just doesn't look like the tools are there? I realize he's young but I'm not seeing it, and people are applauding the most basic defensive moves. 'Did you see the way he closed the gap!!!!!' I mean come on, they teach that in Bantom. We seem to be reaching for compliments and accolades.

Not fair. Yes they tell people to close the gap as a D starting in PeeWee even, but how well does each player execute that? David does it better than most anyone his age.

As for demanding Reinbacher to play like Hutson, that is completely off base. Different players. Was Jacob deBrusk a big disappointment for Boston at 14-OA because he did not "play like the guy they drafted 45th" i.e. Patrice Bergeron?

 

[Habs]

"Never draft by position" is what you and I and most people around here believed 20 years ago when we joined that discussion board. But I feel the NHL has changed since then. Prospects are more ready than before and play in the NHL sooner than before. And the cap have made trading players around to make your lineup more difficult, so it has become more important to actually taylor your draft on your franchise needs (up to a point).

If two players are so close in calibre, I would draft by need no doubt. I just really thought Leonard or 'that other guy' would have been great for the rebuild since there were so many great D available this season.

As for demanding Reinbacher to play like Hutson, that is completely off base. Different players. Was Jacob deBrusk a big disappoinbtment for Boston at 14-OA because he did not "play like the guy they drafted 45th" i.e. Patrice Bergeron?

Everyone is slugging themselves in the nuts for missing out on Bergeron lol

 

[BaseballCoach]

Kudos to Kent and the crew for taking Hutson, finding other hidden gems.. but the kid needs a lot of AHL time, something you don't hope for with your top pick.

Why does he need a lot of AHL time? He is our 4th or 5th best defensive defender right now, ahead of Xhekaj and close to Struble. And defence is the main job of a defenceman. If you want him playing in Laval to develop more elite offence, then you are acknowledging high potential after all.

 

[salbutera]

I disagree I think they tried to fill a void and not go BPA. I agree with most of what you say though, so it's all good. Nothing wrong with the back and fourth banter, we will never change each other's minds lol

Should listen to latest Spittin Chicklets interview w Verbeek and how he evaluates BPA at a draft position, and how that translated to Sennecke selection…

It’s clear as day Michkov the player did not align w what Mtl Canadiens hockey ops views as key essentials for BPA

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'm not expecting anything except to see... 'something', anything, from a guy drafted at 5OA. When I watch him, he to puts me to sleep.

We need to let him cook in the AHL for a good 2-3 yrs at minimum, I think.

OK then watch his game and notice what he does.. which is shut down rushes with his skating and reach. Kill cycles with his skating and his size. Get the puck, evade pressure, find a quick outlet and move things forward.

Yes, he will put you to sleep. He wasn't drafted to be someone to get you out of the seat. It's exactly what 417 said, we drafted the offensive tackle. It's not sexy. No fan wants to see that guy go top 10 in the NFL draft but they are instrumental to success because they allow the skill players to do what they need to do to win.

Reinbacher does the dirty work and ensures we spend less time defending and more time with the puck on the stick of Suzuki, Demidov et al.

That's what he does. He's never going to excite you. He never, ever will. They never said he would.

I want our #5 overall to play like the guy we drafted at #62 overall, is that too much? It just doesn't look like the tools are there? I realize he's young but I'm not seeing it, and people are applauding the most basic defensive moves. 'Did you see the way he closed the gap!!!!!' I mean come on, they teach that in Bantom. We seem to be reaching for compliments and accolades.

Yes, it is too much. He wasn't drafted to be that. You have an idea of what a 5th overall defenseman is supposed to be in terms of the archetype you think is valuable for that pick. That's not what was actually on the table and what they were looking to draft.

They drafted the guy who goes with Hutson to allow Hutson to be special offensively without taking too much away at the other end of the ice.

Weber was a Norris threat his entire career doing the details you are saying they teach in bantam. High quality defending and getting out of our zone quickly and smartly is a high value proposition even if it isn't appealing to the eye.

Ugghhh so sick of this BPA term lol the Montreal Canadiena picked Reinbacher where they did because they thought he was the best player available.

Every pick every team makes they make it because they think they're drafting the best player available to them at the time.

But “BPA” in today's NHL, can't be separated from the team building aspect. Players are expected to contribute alot sooner now.

They thought DR would fit better in that context

Time will tell

I can't believe we are still talking about this, too.

Philly tried to get pick #5 to pick.. Reinbacher.
Arizona wanted Reinbacher.
Nashville stopped trying to trade up the second Reinbacher was off the board.

Reinbacher was the next man up in that draft.. and if we don't believe it then literally look at the other drafts.

Nemec went 2 over Cooley and Wright. Nemec was never projected to go that high. Nemec is another defender with a bit more offensive ability than Reinbacher but is not sexy and is not nearly as big or defensively polished.

Chicago faced with the choice of getting a top line skilled russian winger to pair with Bedard, went with Levshunov.

Right shot defenseman are valuable. They just are. The good ones are rare.

Reinbacher was the BPA for most of the league due to the qualities he possesses and how it contributes to winning hockey.

I'm sorry so many people think every top 5 pick has to play like Cale Makar but that isn't what they were looking to do or acquire. They wanted the shut down defenseman who has enough offense to keep things going for the skill on the team.

 

[salbutera]

I'm not expecting anything except to see... 'something', anything, from a guy drafted at 5OA. When I watch him, he to puts me to sleep.

We need to let him cook in the AHL for a good 2-3 yrs at minimum, I think.

Is this a serious post? A pick is not there to entertain you, it’s supposed to represent a key piece of the team building puzzle.

 

[417]

OK then watch his game and notice what he does.. which is shut down rushes with his skating and reach. Kill cycles with his skating and his size. Get the puck, evade pressure, find a quick outlet and move things forward.

Yes, he will put you to sleep. He wasn't drafted to be someone to get you out of the seat. It's exactly what 417 said, we drafted the offensive tackle. It's not sexy. No fan wants to see that guy go top 10 in the NFL draft but they are instrumental to success because they allow the skill players to do what they need to do to win.

Reinbacher does the dirty work and ensures we spend less time defending and more time with the puck on the stick of Suzuki, Demidov et al.

That's what he does. He's never going to excite you. He never, ever will. They never said he would.



Yes, it is too much. He wasn't drafted to be that. You have an idea of what a 5th overall defenseman is supposed to be in terms of the archetype you think is valuable for that pick. That's not what was actually on the table and what they were looking to draft.

They drafted the guy who goes with Hutson to allow Hutson to be special offensively without taking too much away at the other end of the ice.

Weber was a Norris threat his entire career doing the details you are saying they teach in bantam. High quality defending and getting out of our zone quickly and smartly is a high value proposition even if it isn't appealing to the eye.



I can't believe we are still talking about this, too.

Philly tried to get pick #5 to pick.. Reinbacher.
Arizona wanted Reinbacher.
Nashville stopped trying to trade up the second Reinbacher was off the board.

Reinbacher was the next man up in that draft.. and if we don't believe it then literally look at the other drafts.

Nemec went 2 over Cooley and Wright. Nemec was never projected to go that high. Nemec is another defender with a bit more offensive ability than Reinbacher but is not sexy and is not nearly as big or defensively polished.

Chicago faced with the choice of getting a top line skilled russian winger to pair with Bedard, went with Levshunov.

Right shot defenseman are valuable. They just are. The good ones are rare.

Reinbacher was the BPA for most of the league due to the qualities he possesses and how it contributes to winning hockey.

I'm sorry so many people think every top 5 pick has to play like Cale Makar but that isn't what they were looking to do or acquire. They wanted the shut down defenseman who has enough offense to keep things going for the skill of the team.

Agreed and nor was a Makar type available.

It's unfortunate that there a segment of this fanbase that by some weird occurrence, developed a Michkov fetish and will never give this kid a fair chance.

 

[JoelWarlord]

"Never draft by position" is what you and I and most people around here believed 20 years ago when we joined that discussion board. But I feel the NHL has changed since then. Prospects are more ready than before and play in the NHL sooner than before. And the cap have made trading players around to make your lineup more difficult, so it has become more important to actually taylor your draft on your franchise needs (up to a point).

The other thing is that trade value is so poor for wingers who aren't absolute superstars. Prime Kessel went for a bunch of crap, basically the same return as 32 year old Toffoli. Prime Hall went for Larsson, and Toronto has been kicking tires on Nylander for the top pair D they're missing for years and years and haven't been able to get any offers that aren't obvious downgrades. Buffalo just traded Savoie who they took 9th overall for Ryan McLeod too. It's just so hard to not get totally ripped off when everyone knows you're trading a surplus winger.

 

[River Meadow]

Is this a serious post? A pick is not there to entertain you, it’s supposed to represent a key piece of the team building puzzle.

The pick is there to entertain me.

Dance pick, dance.

 

[jaffy27]

I know what you are saying, I don't entirely disagree. I'm just saying take the BPA and never draft by position. If Kent legit thought Reinbacher was the BPA, and the scouts did, I would question the draft decision making that year. They got it right with Demidov and so many others, I just don't see anything yet with this kid. If I'm wrong, I'll eat it



Possibly, and wouldn't that be amazing if he DR was that good...

That’s what they did, they took the best player available on their list….not McKenzie’s, not HF’s, not yours, theirs.

Why would you question their decision making because they thought DR was the best player, they did brainstorming for hours between 14 scouts, a VP and a GM….?

Pulling the curtain on who’s the best player won’t happen for years, questioning why they thought the consensus top D in the draft was worthy of a top 5 pick over a Russian who had no exposure to the west comes across as a reckless and risky conclusion on who’s the best player.

 

[Habnot]

1. When I watch Reinbacher I see a future first pair D that can play all situations, something like Bouwmeester - a rare combination of size, speed, agility, and puck abilities. He will be a workhorse in 2-3 years and he will still be 22-23.

2. If the Habs select Michkov, they don't get Demidov this year. There is no way HUGO would take 2 similar players to play on your top 6,

3. Fans in general have this obsession in evaluating every pick in a vacuum. Quick to admonish HUGO for selecting Reinbacher but the same maangement team also selcted Hutson with a late 2nd rounder. Same with Mesar - yes we might of reached with his selection but we got Beck an early 2nd. No management team will get every pick 100% right. This is just a general observation. Only time will tell if Reinbacher's selection was the correct one - but so far - nothing indicates that it isn't.

 

[WeThreeKings]

1. When I watch Reinbacher I see a future first pair D that can play all situations, something like Bouwmeester - a rare combination of size, speed, agility, and puck abilities. He will be a workhorse in 2-3 years and he will still be 22-23.

2. If the Habs select Michkov, they don't get Demidov this year. There is no way HUGO would take 2 similar players to play on your top 6,

3. Fans in general have this obsession in evaluating every pick in a vacuum. Quick to admonish HUGO for selecting Reinbacher but the same maangement team also selcted Hutson with a late 2nd rounder. Same with Mesar - yes we might of reached with his selection but we got Beck an early 2nd. No management team will get every pick 100% right. This is just a general observation. Only time will tell if Reinbacher's selection was the correct one - but so far - nothing indicates that it isn't.

If some people had it their way our top 6 wingers would be Michkov-Demidov-Firkus-Caufield

That's fun for the regular season but you can't win with that in the playoffs.

 

[417]

That’s what they did, they took the best player available on their list….not McKenzie’s, not HF’s, not yours, theirs.

Why would you question their decision making because they thought DR was the best player, they did brainstorming for hours between 14 scouts, a VP and a GM….?

Pulling the curtain on who’s the best player won’t happen for years, questioning why they thought the consensus top D in the draft was worthy of a top 5 pick over a Russian who had no exposure to the west comes across as a reckless and risky conclusion on who’s the best player.

There also exists a world where Michkov (man this kid annoy TF out of me and through no fault of his own lol) is an excellent player and the Habs are still happy they selected Reinbacher

 

[WeThreeKings]

There also exists a world where Michkov (man this kid annoy TF out of me and through no fault of his own lol) is an excellent player and the Habs are still happy they selected Reinbacher

I think both teams are going to get exactly what they wanted out of it.

I'm happy for Philly, they've had no talent forever up front and Michkov gives them that.

We got the perfect complement for Hutson and a year later got Demidov, who may or may not score more points than Michkov but represents the player archetype we needed more between the two.

 

[Habs]

Should listen to latest Spittin Chicklets interview w Verbeek and how he evaluates BPA at a draft position, and how that translated to Sennecke selection…

It’s clear as day Michkov the player did not align w what Mtl Canadiens hockey ops views as key essentials for BPA

I wanted Leonard for plan b but what’s done is done

That’s what they did, they took the best player available on their list….not McKenzie’s, not HF’s, not yours, theirs.

Why would you question their decision making because they thought DR was the best player, they did brainstorming for hours between 14 scouts, a VP and a GM….?

Pulling the curtain on who’s the best player won’t happen for years, questioning why they thought the consensus top D in the draft was worthy of a top 5 pick over a Russian who had no exposure to the west comes across as a reckless and risky conclusion on who’s the best player.

20 years of shitposting on HF makes me qualified sir

 

[junyab]

I didn't like the Reinbacher pick, but D2 means a 2nd D, not a 2nd pairing D. Think Seabrook in the 2010s.

That's exactly what he meant. And like you said, Seabrook (to his Keith). His ceiling is to be a top pairing D, but realistically not on PP1.

So I think 35-40 ES pts, playing top 2 D minutes.

 

[Habs]

1. When I watch Reinbacher I see a future first pair D that can play all situations, something like Bouwmeester - a rare combination of size, speed, agility, and puck abilities. He will be a workhorse in 2-3 years and he will still be 22-23.

2. If the Habs select Michkov, they don't get Demidov this year. There is no way HUGO would take 2 similar players to play on your top 6,

3. Fans in general have this obsession in evaluating every pick in a vacuum. Quick to admonish HUGO for selecting Reinbacher but the same maangement team also selcted Hutson with a late 2nd rounder. Same with Mesar - yes we might of reached with his selection but we got Beck an early 2nd. No management team will get every pick 100% right. This is just a general observation. Only time will tell if Reinbacher's selection was the correct one - but so far - nothing indicates that it isn't.

We wouldn’t want michkov and Demidov ? Lol. That’s like saying Anaheim wouldn’t want getzlaf Perry or Kariya Selanne , and all the other famous duos. For a franchise starved In the goal department since 94, I do not think anyone would mind a deadly Russian duo of those two kids. Anyways , see how it all plays out fingers crossed

 

[junyab]

I'm not expecting anything except to see... 'something', anything, from a guy drafted at 5OA. When I watch him, he to puts me to sleep.

We need to let him cook in the AHL for a good 2-3 yrs at minimum, I think.

You think D-men should be exciting to watch? You MAY see 1 D per draft year that can be described this way, maybe even less, and they're often not the top D drafted either.

Not every D pick will be Makar, Hughes or Hutson (hopefully).

 

[Habs]

Why does he need a lot of AHL time? He is our 4th or 5th best defensive defender right now, ahead of Xhekaj and close to Struble. And defence is the main job of a defenceman. If you want him playing in Laval to develop more elite offence, then you are acknowledging high potential after all.

I do t see him ahead of Arbs or Struble at this point ? Based on what ?

 

[Walksss]

Looks like the David Reinbacher thread is going to have to go the way of the Juraj Slafkovsky thread - which is a toxic cesspool you don't go into because it's full of crying, hot takes and general stupidity.

He had a nervous first period as did pretty much the entire roster who didn't have extensive NHL experience.

The penalty kill goal was a miscommunication where he thought Struble had Tavares and he was shaded out to the one-timer threat on the dot. That's Xs and Os that gets ironed out in a season, nothing more than that.

After that, he showed exactly what he was drafted to do. Shut down the rush with his stick and skating. Defend the in-zone cycle with his skating and size. Get the puck, evade pressure and make quick, solid exits out of the zone and then support the attack with clever activations.

We just played NJ with Simon Nemec, a 2nd overall pick, and he was worse, with more experience, than Reinbacher was in this game. The Devils could have taken small scorer Logan Cooley instead.

Defenseman take longer to develop, so trying to make mountains of mole hills is just wanting to make yourself mad and miserable. Let the man develop, there's absolutely no need for him to be a first pairing defenseman TODAY.

The small scorers are almost ALWAYS ahead of the big defenseman. You guys have watched hockey long enough, you post about it on a message board, you must know by now that it's common knowledge that defense and goaltending have the longest run way of development to their upside.

Yes, some of the special talents like a Drew Doughty come in and do it earlier. No one has ever billed Reinbacher as a Drew Doughty. If that's what you thought they were getting, that's on you, and if things are failing to meet expectations you set by yourself, because of some weird "an X overall pick must be X" lie you tell yourself, that's on you, not on management and certainly not on the player.

Recalibrate. Chill out. He's going to be a very valuable piece to the rebuild and he is not going to be flashy about it.

I wish I could like this post twice. On point WTK.

 

[junyab]

People need to realize that when the Habs picked Hutson they didn't know they were getting Fall 2024 Hutson. Had they known then what they know now they would've been picked waaaaaay earlier.

 

[Kennerback]

We wouldn’t want michkov and Demidov ? Lol. That’s like saying Anaheim wouldn’t want getzlaf Perry or Kariya Selanne , and all the other famous duos. For a franchise starved In the goal department since 94, I do not think anyone would mind a deadly Russian duo of those two kids. Anyways , see how it all plays out fingers crossed

On a BPA at 5 in 2023, good money right now around the NHL is Michkov is the better pick.

However, I don’t think you can fit Demidov, Laine, a solid Top-4, and our Top line under the cap and then add Michkov for any period of time. We become the Leafs. Plus Michkov is said to have personality issues, I don’t think there’s room for Laine and Michkov in the same team. One recovery project is enough.