News Article: Reinhart calls out Sabres players: 'A lot of guys need to step the hell up'

[Jim Bob]

Reinhart calls out Sabres players: 'A lot of guys need to step the hell up'

"It's all coming down to the players at this point," he told The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington postgame. "The systems and the game plans that are set out for us give us an opportunity to have success ... Guys need to demand more of themselves and a lot of guys need to step the hell up."

I wonder if Sam drives a Jeep Gladiator?

Click to read more...

 

[OkimLom]

Reinhart calls out Sabres players: 'A lot of guys need to step the hell up'



I wonder if Sam drives a Jeep Gladiator?

Would be the best thing for this organization if Sam can become the Drury to Jack's Briere.

He really needs to step the hell up and take control of this team as well.

 

[Jim Bob]

Would be the best thing for this organization if Sam can become the Drury to Jack's Briere.

He really needs to step the hell up and take control of this team as well.

They need to get more talent in the room.

Mark Messier in his prime would have a hard time getting more out of this team, IMO.

 

[OkimLom]

They need to get more talent in the room.

Mark Messier in his prime would have a hard time getting more out of this team, IMO.

I agree they need more talent in the room, but that shouldn't stop Sam from taking control of the room. He was drafted to be a key player of the team, it's about time he takes that role seriously. I'm not even talking about scoring on the ice, I mean in the room.

I have confidence he can do it, but he needs to get out from Eichel's shadow. For on ice purposes, it's one of the reasons why I want him on his own line and at center. Deferring to Eichel at every turn is stunting his growth. It's doing a lot more harm than good.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I can't believe with all the losing they've never tried Reinhart at center for longer than few games at a time.

 

[Jim Bob]

I agree they need more talent in the room, but that shouldn't stop Sam from taking control of the room. He was drafted to be a key player of the team, it's about time he takes that role seriously. I'm not even talking about scoring on the ice, I mean in the room.

I have confidence he can do it, but he needs to get out from Eichel's shadow. For on ice purposes, it's one of the reasons why I want him on his own line and at center. Deferring to Eichel at every turn is stunting his growth. It's doing a lot more harm than good.

We have no idea what the guys are like in the room.

 

[OkimLom]

We have no idea what the guys are like in the room.

That's fair, but he doesn't come across as someone that has a voice in the room.

 

[Aladyyn]

That's fair, but he doesn't come across as someone that has a voice in the room.

Based on what?

 

[Dirty Dog]

I’m completely okay with this. Our actually talented and good players need to take control of this team.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I can't believe with all the losing they've never tried Reinhart at center for longer than few games at a time.

Three successive coaching regimes have done the same...

At some point you have to ask questions of the player.

I love hearing statements like this but Reinhart needs to show that he wants to 'move out of Jack's shadow'...

 

[Aladyyn]

Three successive coaching regimes have done the same...

At some point you have to ask questions of the player.

I love hearing statements like this but Reinhart needs to show that he wants to 'move out of Jack's shadow'...

I'm sure the trade request is coming, don't worry.

 

[Aladyyn]

Also if Reinhart "refuses" to play center he should have been the first out the door during Botterill's culture purge. Seems very far-fetched to me.

 

[Jim Bob]

Three successive coaching regimes have done the same...

At some point you have to ask questions of the player.

I love hearing statements like this but Reinhart needs to show that he wants to 'move out of Jack's shadow'...

It's not up to Reinhart to play at a different position or on a different line.

And we have no idea what behind the scenes conversations have taken place between the various front office people, various coaches, and all the players that have voiced opinions on his usage since he's been here.

 

[Sabre Dance]

Three successive coaching regimes have done the same...

At some point you have to ask questions of the player.

I love hearing statements like this but Reinhart needs to show that he wants to 'move out of Jack's shadow'...

I think it's the player to be honest. Reinhart has said he prefers wing. Since that statement he hasn't played center.

 

[OkimLom]

Based on what?

Interviews.

 

[jc17]

Talent is definitely the biggest factor, but effort could be better. We have seen games/periods where it seems like guys want to try and are rewarded for it. They need to bring the energy and effort every shift, but most of the guys arent wired like that.

 

[OkimLom]

Three successive coaching regimes have done the same...

At some point you have to ask questions of the player.

I love hearing statements like this but Reinhart needs to show that he wants to 'move out of Jack's shadow'...

Just a reminder who our coaches were and are: Bylsma, Housley, Krueger. Not exactly a solid cast of coaches whose decisions should be accepted as the CORRECT decisions. Not to mention there's an aspect of development at play with Reinhart for a few of those years.

 

[OkimLom]

I think it's the player to be honest. Reinhart has said he prefers wing. Since that statement he hasn't played center.

Can you source where Reinhart said this directly? And WHEN he said it?

The only occurrence I remember Reinhart commenting on this HIMSELF, is his post-draft where he said he would play anywhere the coaching staff asked him to, even at defense. Eichel has made a comment on a podcast, that Sam enjoyed playing the wing, when we had ROR and Eichel as the top 6 centers.

 

[Sabre Dance]

Can you source where Reinhart said this directly? And WHEN he said it?

The only occurrence I remember Reinhart commenting on this HIMSELF, is his post-draft where he said he would play anywhere the coaching staff asked him to, even at defense. Eichel has made a comment on a podcast, that Sam enjoyed playing the wing, when we had ROR and Eichel as the top 6 centers.

I'll try to find the quote.

 

[enthusiast]

We're in rough shape if Reinhart's words don't carry weight

Well, rougher than already known

 

[Aladyyn]

I'll try to find the quote.

You'll be the first if you succeed. Pretty certain the source of this entire narrative is that Eichel pod.

 

[OkimLom]

I'll try to find the quote.

Got it:

Sabres hope Reinhart line takes center stage

“At this point I see it as if there’s an injury I’ll move back to center,” Reinhart said. “When Jack’s back, I’m hoping we’ll get put back together, but at this point I like where our group’s at with me down the middle.”
Added Bylsma: “Long term, I like seeing him play with Jack Eichel or Ryan O’Reilly. That means he’s playing wing. He’s a centerman by nature, but I kind of like what I see and have seen from him and Jack together on a line.”

This was back in 2016 with our Top 6 filled up.

EDIT:

But also:

“From a skating standpoint, you’re kind of keeping your speed up more,” Reinhart said in KeyBank Center. “It’s not as much stopping and starting. It’s more trying to keep your speed up through the middle of the ice as opposed to being on the wall and trying to get going when the puck gets to you. It’s a little bit different and forces you to keep moving your feet.
“When I’m at my best I’m moving my feet, I’m taking up time and space on the forecheck. At times when I move to center it helps me do that.”

 

[Fezzy126]

Talent is definitely the biggest factor, but effort could be better. We have seen games/periods where it seems like guys want to try and are rewarded for it. They need to bring the energy and effort every shift, but most of the guys arent wired like that.

So much this... I think back to a guy like Marcus Foligno, it was so obvious when he fully brought the energy and passion to a game; no one on the opposition was safe and he became a bully on the ice. It didn't happen every night, but it was easy to see and identify.

With this group, who can even tell? Whether they're playing hard or not, there's never any hitting, every player curls into and out of positions, and there's almost never any hard stops and starts. And the worst part is it seems none of them are demanding of each other. When is the last time they slammed the door and held a players only meeting? When's the last time we heard about a tenacious/edgy practice?

Ugh, it's so depressing, please for the love of all that is good and holy inject some heart and passion into this lineup.

 

[Myllz]

Got it:

Sabres hope Reinhart line takes center stage



This was back in 2016 with our Top 6 filled up.

EDIT:

But also:

Isn't that him saying he likes playing center?

 

[Sabre Dance]

You'll be the first if you succeed. Pretty certain the source of this entire narrative is that Eichel pod.

Still looking but I did find one article where he says all the right things but does add that in the past he viewed the switch to center as a demotion.

"One mistake I've made in the past is viewing switching center as a demotion," Reinhart said. "That's not the way to be looking at it at all. This is an opportunity for me to get another line going, get another line on the scoresheet every night playing with some good players. I'm looking at it completely different with a fresh mentality and I'm excited about it."

Eichel roommate Sam Reinhart: 'It's motivation to join him for the next couple of years'