Named captain of the Kootenay Ice today.
I watched him play Edmonton in their elimination game. He was really great, easily the best player on the ice. However, I don't see him on the Mackinnon-Drouin level, or the Yakupov level, or even the RNH level. Not sure he's a sure-fire first overall. Maybe 2014's just that weak.
At Sam's age RNH had 65 points in 67 games this year Sam has 85 in 72 and was able to play as a 16 yearold and RNH wasn't. Sam is on his level and has a better 2 way game.
And as a year younger than RNH Sam had 78 points in 34 games to RNH 87 points in 36 games both on the NW Giants.
Look, I'm not saying he can't be, I'm just saying that at a glance (because obviously you can't tell anything definitive from one game) he doesn't look to be at the talent level of those guys. He's got great vision and is a strong defensive player, but he needs work on skating, and improvement in a lot of other areas. Again, just my impression from probably 15-20 minutes of ice. Just my impression.
Sorry I wasn't trying to call you out but I have followed him the last 2 years and I think he is going to be great he has the work ethic of his father but skill no one in his family possesses.
At Sam's age RNH had 65 points in 67 games this year Sam has 85 in 72 and was able to play as a 16 yearold and RNH wasn't. Sam is on his level and has a better 2 way game.
And as a year younger than RNH Sam had 78 points in 34 games to RNH 87 points in 36 games both on the NW Giants.
Huh? Sam scored 85 points in his 17 year old season (I am aware he didnt turn 17 until Nov but it still counts as his 17 year old season development wise), at the same age RNH had 106 points. Also RNH played when we was 16 (hence he had two seasons before he was drafted). Just food for thought.
RNH is 20 in 10 days he was 17 his first year in the WHL no?
How ever you break it down Sam gets 3 years in the WHL to RNH 2.
It's hard to have an educated debate with someone who doesn't know how development years work. It doesn't matter what time of year their birthday is, except for the NHL. Sam's first year in the WHL was his 16 year old year, as was RNH's.
To the posters looking at rnh vs Sam, nuge developed a lot after getting cut from the wjc as a 17 yr old, took the chl by storm after.
While Sam bloomed a bit earlier, and in this case it's being held against him. If I recall correctly, a similar thing happened to Phil kessel, but he eventually put the work he needed to in his game and seems to be living up to potential.
Also Sam reminds me a lot of Brayden Schenn
Yes but Sam will get 3 years in the WHL to RNH 2. It is a strange debate since there is 6 months between them.
My point was next season will be Sam's draft year which will be compared to RNH's last WHL season.
Yes but his draft year will be his 18yo season, rnh's was his 17yo season. Go by birthyear, not draft year.
don't see the comparison, sam is not even in the same realm of physical or board play. i would say sam has a higher iq, and much more skill.
Eh, watched the oil kings game on sportsnet on Friday and watched Schenn at 17. Sam's game was identical to the times I watched Schenn the year before his draft
in which regard? when the kootenay ice played saskatoon two years ago in whl playoffs schenn was throwing hits at a frequency of that lazar did this past series versus kootenay, i didn't see that game on friday but i watched the games in kootenay. not saying he can't take it, but reinhart rarely initiates contact. i would liken him to seguin, but that's my opinion.
i only saw schenn play twice in the whl, but he was a more in your face type of player than reinhart, reinhart usually tends to have the best vision on the ice every game i do, making really smart passes. i vaguely remember but i recall remember schenn trying to power through players.
happy he's invited to the summer WJC (he's a late '95 bday so he was a sure invite).
given how bad Canada's depth is re 96, I think he has an excellent shot of making WJC (as draft eligible players go, i'd guess him to make the team over ekblad).
re kootenay - i'm guessing he's confirmed to stay there next year?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Ekblad was even invited to the summer camp.