It's more a situation of ability than strategy. The wave of our defensive prospects that are coming are mostly mobile and have both the speed to support the attack and, equally important, recover after joining same. We haven't had that capacity/ability since the late 1970's when our 'Big Three' ( always hated that moniker) were faster than most opposing forwards they faced. It was a huge luxury and was the cornerstone of our last dynasty.
I suspect that the next Cup-winning team will also be anchored on a mobile, two-way D with offensive prowess.
More so than relying on a generationnal G as we had hoped todo over the last 30 years, eager to find the new Roy.
A D-Corps as I imagine is being developed, with two shutdown Ds, that also have offensive upside, in Guhle and Reinbacher and two offensive Ds that hopefully dynamise the entire offense in Hutson and Mailloux, plus a complement of mobile Ds with sandpaper and size such as Xhekaj, Engstrom and Konyushkov, who also boast some offensve upside and a solid hockey IQ, looks to be a solid foundation for a roster heading forward.
A recent French CBC interview with Hughes gave some interesting (and obvious, when you think about it) insight into why Reinbacher was sent back to Europe rather than asked to stay with the Rocket in Laval.
Some argued it was just sheltering from the demanding environment inMontreal that should have been extended Slafkovsky before him, and KK before that, as well as Galchenyuk in a first instance.
Hughes talks about developing Reinbacher in Laval at the detriment of giving sufficient ice time to Mailloux, for whom I now gather that Montreal has genuine hopes.
It only makes sense that Mailloux should be the go-to option in Laval this year, while Reinbacher continues to develop with a team -- and in an environment -- where he had a worthwhile and accelerated progression last season.
There is no doubt, when listening to the ex-Hab that now coaches Kloten this season, that Reinbacher will be depended on to lead his team from the back end, in all game situations.
Reinbacher, back in the Swiss league this season, will get tons of TOI and be exposed to quality game situations that will challenge him and enable him to perfect his skills.
Reinbacher, back in the Swiss league this season, will also afford the same benefits for Mailloux, a player who, despite the obvious skill set, suffered greatly from limited games played and time on the ice over the past few seasons, both because of the suspension he received after his actions in Europe and the injuries he suffered along the way when he was finally allowed to play again.
Reinbacher playing tons of minutes with Kloten and Mailloux playing tons of minutes in Laval is the perfect way to avoid developing one prospect we have high hopes for at the expense of another prospect we also believe can play key role for the team.
Win-Win!
