Prospect Info: Prospect Talk PART VII

[Levi Walking Bear]

Some more Oil Kings talk tonight on The Pipeline Show, assistant coach Steve Hamilton the guest at 10 PM. You can listen below.

www.theteam1260.com

 

[scott99]

Just listening to Oilers Now on CHED, guest was new Oil Kings GM Randy Mancsh (Bob Green took a job with the Oilers).Good amount of Reinhart talk.

Mancsh recently talked to Snow who says that camp decides what to do with Griff. Mancsh told Snow that if Reinhart returns to Edmonton, he will be the one counted on both offensively and defensively as the clear top guy on the D.

Interesting that the style of game Griff plays was compared to Serge Savard. Don't know how many of you are old enough to have seen him play in the 60-70"s but he was a great player. Savard was considered a big defenseman at the time but rarely hit, angling players for the most part. He could he been more offensive but with what Montreal had at the time it was not needed of him. The comparison comes from the poise, no panic, just about mistake free game Savard played and doing those subtle little things that can make such a difference.


Interesting style comparison, if Griff becomes half the player Savard was he is going to help the Islanders win games.

The host of the show Oilers radio color man Bob Stauffer is one who believes that an extra year of junior will be good for Griff as it was foe Alex Pietrangelo.

This is really interesting stuff about Reinhart Rex, thanks for posting it. You're right about Serge Savard, if Reinhart can be half the player Savard was, it'll be a great draft choice. I remember Savard just being an incredible defender with ridiculously perfect defensive positioning, not the highest scoring D-man but usually put up ok stats, but his defensive play put him in the Hall Of Fame. He was always thought of being one of the "Big 3" on defense with Larry Robinson and Guy Lapointe. I always thought Reinhart reminded me of Ken Morrow. If he could wind up somewhere between Morrow and Savard, we have ourselves a defensive star.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Ironically, my viewings of Reinhart have never led me to believe that he is going to be a particularly good NHLer. However, many voices say he will be and my viewings have been very limited.

I definitely feel, however, that as he grows, so too must his footspeed, particularly backwards and side-to-side. He does not look like a four direction skater to me, not of any true note.

Again, just based on what I've seen. I feel he leaves an impression that he should always be doing more.

Naturally, I hope I'm way off base and that his game will translate very well at the NHL level.

I know we should hope for more than just a 'Morrow' type, but if this team is winning with Reinhart quietly posting a +20 and many PK minutes every season, whatever else he can add in any other department will just be the cherry on top, even if we'd technically wish for more from a 4th overall pick in a good draft.

Fortunately, Reinhart does not have to be an all-everything high pick player, as Hamonic is scheduled to be the backbone blueliner while, with any luck, Pulock can eventually be a Letang type (don't ask, just a bit of gut feeling on behalf - my viewings of him have had me thinking 'Joe Corvo', but hope he's more highend than that). These are the three key Dmen going forward, but I'm confident that several of Hickey, Donovan, Pedan, Mayfield, Pokka, Pelech, and heck, even a guy like Russo are gonna find permanent NHL jobs (de Haan too with any physical luck), so we'll have to see who lands here and who is used to bring in other pieces.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

Ironically, my viewings of Reinhart have never led me to believe that he is going to be a particularly good NHLer. However, many voices say he will be and my viewings have been very limited.

I definitely feel, however, that as he grows, so too must his speed, particularly backwards and side-to-side. He does not look like a four direction skater to me, not of any true note.

Again, just based on what I've seen. I feel he leaves an impression that he should always be doing more.

Naturally, I hope I'm way off base and that his game will translate very well at the NHL level.

I know we should hope for more than just a 'Morrow' type, but if this team is winning with Reinhart quietly posting a +20 and many PK minutes every season, whatever else he can add in any other department will just be the cherry on top, even if we'd technicalls wish for more from a 4th overall pick in a good draft.

Fortunately, Reinhart does not have to be an all-everything high pick player, as Hamonic is scheduled to be the backbone blueliner while, with any luck, Pulock can eventually be a Letang type (don't ask, just a bit of gut feeling on behalf - my viewings of him have had me thinking 'Joe Corvo', but hope he's more highend than that). These are the three key Dmen going forward, but I'm confident that several of Hickey, Donovan, Pedan, Mayfield, Pokka, Pelech, and heck, even a guy like Russo are gonna find permanent NHL jobs (de Haan too with any physical luck), so we'll have to see who lands here and who is used to bring in other pieces.

On the show I was listening to yesterday they mentioned what you said in line three, he leaves you wanting to see more. Reinhart will get a chance to expand his game if he stays in Edmonton. Hope he did some work on his skating this summer. He will never be a huge scorer, we want more than just a defensive specialist drafted that high.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

On the show I was listening to yesterday they mentioned what you said in line three, he leaves you wanting to see more. Reinhart will get a chance to expand his game if he stays in Edmonton. Hope he did some work on his skating this summer. He will never be a huge scorer, we want more than just a defensive specialist drafted that high.

I have to say that I think we'll see him back in Edmonton AND that this will be the right step for him. It's time to be a more dominant kid in the tough WHL and perhaps even wear a letter on his jersey come December in Malmö.

That would be ideal and as mentioned in a post above, we have more than enough Dmen on the Island and coming in from BPort who we need to figure out.

Whether Reinhart 'could' handle an NHL shift now is inconsequential. It surely wouldn't be the best thing to do with him. I don't think the team will.

 

[bluechipbonzo]

Ironically, my viewings of Reinhart have never led me to believe that he is going to be a particularly good NHLer. However, many voices say he will be and my viewings have been very limited.

I definitely feel, however, that as he grows, so too must his footspeed, particularly backwards and side-to-side. He does not look like a four direction skater to me, not of any true note.

Again, just based on what I've seen. I feel he leaves an impression that he should always be doing more.

Naturally, I hope I'm way off base and that his game will translate very well at the NHL level.

I know we should hope for more than just a 'Morrow' type, but if this team is winning with Reinhart quietly posting a +20 and many PK minutes every season, whatever else he can add in any other department will just be the cherry on top, even if we'd technically wish for more from a 4th overall pick in a good draft.

Fortunately, Reinhart does not have to be an all-everything high pick player, as Hamonic is scheduled to be the backbone blueliner while, with any luck, Pulock can eventually be a Letang type (don't ask, just a bit of gut feeling on behalf - my viewings of him have had me thinking 'Joe Corvo', but hope he's more highend than that). These are the three key Dmen going forward, but I'm confident that several of Hickey, Donovan, Pedan, Mayfield, Pokka, Pelech, and heck, even a guy like Russo are gonna find permanent NHL jobs (de Haan too with any physical luck), so we'll have to see who lands here and who is used to bring in other pieces.

Pulock seems more the physical type than Letang who I see is more about finesse- he does have grit, but picks his spots physically and his game is more about skating. Pulock I see as more of a Sheldon Souray type- hopefully with a healthier career, but physical with a big shot. Souray would have been a beauty if his body held up...Corvo is a joke physically, I don't know how you connect him with Pulock.

 

[Riseonfire]

I get the feeling that Reinhart will be our Carl Alzner, which I'm cool with.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

Brian Compton has his Islanders top ten prospects along with other articles as it is the Islanders day at nhl.com and also available at the islanders web site.

 

[blinkman360]

I have to say that I think we'll see him back in Edmonton AND that this will be the right step for him. It's time to be a more dominant kid in the tough WHL and perhaps even wear a letter on his jersey come December in Malmö.

That would be ideal and as mentioned in a post above, we have more than enough Dmen on the Island and coming in from BPort who we need to figure out.

Whether Reinhart 'could' handle an NHL shift now is inconsequential. It surely wouldn't be the best thing to do with him. I don't think the team will.

Might not be the worst, either. Playing with Visnovsky for a year or two could potentially do more for his offensive development than anything he'd learn manning the point for a WHL team. Not saying that he should get a spot for that reason(before the anti-rush crowd crucifies me), but I don't like dismissing prospects because of the "it can't hurt" approach. If it appears as if Reinhart can help bring our defense to the next level, I'd prefer him over Carkner, Hickey, or Finley.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Might not be the worst, either. Playing with Visnovsky for a year or two could potentially do more for his offensive development than anything he'd learn manning the point for a WHL team. Not saying that he should get a spot for that reason(before the anti-rush crowd crucifies me), but I don't like dismissing prospects because of the "it can't hurt" approach. If it appears as if Reinhart can help bring our defense to the next level, I'd prefer him over Carkner, Hickey, or Finley.

Interesting thought. I don't see him being a future Visnovsky by any stretch of the imagination. I figure the team will have other veterans on board once Reinhart is ready to be a mainstay.

In short, I'd be shocked if Reinhart stays on the Island for more than a 9 game stay this fall.

Just too many blueliners ahead of him in the pecking order and in their development. Besides, as mentioned elsewhere, from what I've seen of him, I just don't feel he's there yet. I do not think he can help the NYI at the NHL level more than the 9 or 10 bodies ahead of him on the depth list.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Pulock seems more the physical type than Letang who I see is more about finesse- he does have grit, but picks his spots physically and his game is more about skating. Pulock I see as more of a Sheldon Souray type- hopefully with a healthier career, but physical with a big shot. Souray would have been a beauty if his body held up...Corvo is a joke physically, I don't know how you connect him with Pulock.

That was the impression I had of him as an underager at the U18 in 2012. As simple as that.

Small sample, but that's who he was looking like there.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Ok, so in case anyone missed it...

Jets sign Brenden Kichton to deal
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2013/08/28/jets-sign-brenden-kichton-to-deal

 

[scott99]

Ok, so in case anyone missed it...

Jets sign Brenden Kichton to deal
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2013/08/28/jets-sign-brenden-kichton-to-deal

Good for Kitchton. He was never given a chance by the Isles. That's what you get when you draft 7 d-men in one year, some who will never see the NHL. I hope he does well with the Jets.

 

[duster19]

That was the impression I had of him as an underager at the U18 in 2012. As simple as that.

Small sample, but that's who he was looking like there.

I don't think the letang observation is to far off the mark. Letang might have more of a nasty side to him.

I've seen some weber comparisons as well that I think are accurate as well

 

[DarkHorse]

BTW, Corey Trivino got an invite to the Panthers' camp. Keeping the dream alive!

And Theoret is attending the Jets' camp as an invite. 'Peg loves picking up NYI leftovers.

 

[InformTheMasses]

BTW, Corey Trivino got an invite to the Panthers' camp. Keeping the dream alive!

And Theoret is attending the Jets' camp as an invite. 'Peg loves picking up NYI leftovers.

Good for Corey, I guess.

Theoret is a nice pick-up. I look at him in a similar light (and favorable) to John Persson. Both are slow footed but go to the net hard and very strong physically. Theoret is tougher and has more versatility (plays both Center and Wing well). I think Theoret could be an NHL 4th line C/LW that's tough as nails and a pain in the neck to play against that also scores the off hard working goal, he's also a well thought of teammate and leader. Just slow.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Good for Kitchton. He was never given a chance by the Isles. That's what you get when you draft 7 d-men in one year, some who will never see the NHL. I hope he does well with the Jets.

I'm under the impression that the Islanders were willing to give him a shot, but not for money that differed from his draft position.

He and his agent felt he deserved better than that right off the bat.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

VCR has reported to Plymouth (OHL) training camp.
Regular season begins on September 19.
Glad the hockey off season is ending next week and for me back to work for my 37th year as everybody's favorite high school science teacher.

 

[scott99]

VCR has reported to Plymouth (OHL) training camp.
Regular season begins on September 19.

Awesome ! I hope he tears up the OHL and winds up being a 5th round steal.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

Awesome ! I hope he tears up the OHL and winds up being a 5th round steal.

Even better Loic and the Quebec league start on the 13th.

 

[PWJunior]

Even better Loic and the Quebec league start on the 13th.

I think Loic is going to have a big development year. It takes time to fill out such a big frame and to gain coordination. I grew 6 inches over the summer when I was 14 (5'6 to 6') and another 2 inches the rest of the year... I was a physical mess and as clumsy as a toddler. I used to be a SG when I played basketball and then all of a sudden, I'm a center having to pound with the big boys down low. They used to call me Mr. Softee and when I started to fill out and gain coordination, no one ever called me that ever again. I made a concerted effort to inflict pain to the opponent every chance I got, even to some of my teammates in practice who came up with the Mr. Softee label in the first place.

You go Loic and VCR! I'm rooting for you guys!

 

[scott99]

I think Loic is going to have a big development year. It takes time to fill out such a big frame and to gain coordination. I grew 6 inches over the summer when I was 14 (5'6 to 6') and another 2 inches the rest of the year... I was a physical mess and as clumsy as a toddler. I used to be a SG when I played basketball and then all of a sudden, I'm a center having to pound with the big boys down low. They used to call me Mr. Softee and when I started to fill out and gain coordination, no one ever called me that ever again. I made a concerted effort to inflict pain to the opponent every chance I got, even to some of my teammates in practice who came up with the Mr. Softee label in the first place.

You go Loic and VCR! I'm rooting for you guys!

I get two things from that post, I'm afraid of PW now, AND, suddenly I want ice cream.

 

[scott99]

I think Loic is going to have a big development year. It takes time to fill out such a big frame and to gain coordination. I grew 6 inches over the summer when I was 14 (5'6 to 6') and another 2 inches the rest of the year... I was a physical mess and as clumsy as a toddler. I used to be a SG when I played basketball and then all of a sudden, I'm a center having to pound with the big boys down low. They used to call me Mr. Softee and when I started to fill out and gain coordination, no one ever called me that ever again. I made a concerted effort to inflict pain to the opponent every chance I got, even to some of my teammates in practice who came up with the Mr. Softee label in the first place.

You go Loic and VCR! I'm rooting for you guys!

Loic did look better at the rookie scrimmage this year. last year he came in at 6'6" 199, and they said he was 230 now. Musta piled on the pounds while sitting out that knee injury. Maybe he was eating that MR SOFTEE Ice Cream ?

 

[PWJunior]

I get two things from that post, I'm afraid of PW now, AND, suddenly I want ice cream.

Haha, now that I've advanced in years and seeing my waistline grow... I guess those punks were right - I am becoming Mr. Softee now.

If I make it to the preseason game at the BC, I'll buy you an ice cream then.

Loic did look better at the rookie scrimmage this year. last year he came in at 6'6" 199, and they said he was 230 now. Musta piled on the pounds while sitting out that knee injury. Maybe he was eating that MR SOFTEE Ice Cream ?

If Loic can continue to add size and strength, he'll be one that you shouldn't tangle with. He's a long shot, but maybe one day he could make it as a bottom pairing guy with flying fists of fury.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

One thing for sure about Loic. Between those long arms and stick that he uses he can cover a lot of space in the defensive zone.