Prospect Info: Prospect Talk PART XII

[redbull]

Ohh, in this case, I was talking about his brother, the Sabres draft pick.

I agree with your assessment of our Reinhart

well then, I agree with you on Sam, I haven't said anything but I think he'll be on the Yakupov level of "disappointing" for some reason (maybe not that bad). I know he produces and is smart offensively but there's so much that's "unimpressive" about his game and his ability to translate to NHL.

I think he's smart enough that he'll be a useful player, maybe a PP specialist ala Cliff Ronning, he even reminds me of a young Yanic Perreault. Sam seems like he's too small, too slow, not strong enough to make up for poor skating, I don't think he shoots well (hard or accurate) either....I see a "project" player, like Jonathan Drouin, not a elite player.

But, time will tell.

Maybe I'm just bitter Snow dealt away the near-McDavid pick and I'm still angry at BUF for some reason, though, I'm less fussed about it when I look at the standings these days.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

But is there anyone here who wouldn't like to see Griff use his size a little more aggressively?

 

[rikker]

But is there anyone here who wouldn't like to see Griff use his size a little more aggressively?

i think it's coming. at least i hope so. we desperately need grit on the backend.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

i think it's coming. at least i hope so. we desperately need grit on the backend.

He is big enough to take a water buffalo down if he wanted to. I would like to see him spring Steve Downie's head from his shoulders one day. There would be all of these horrified onlookers, then there would be me going "Nom Nom Nom" with all the popcorn and a big smile on my face.

 

[scott99]

He is big enough to take a water buffalo down if he wanted to. I would like to see him spring Steve Downie's head from his shoulders one day. There would be all of these horrified onlookers, then there would be me going "Nom Nom Nom" with all the popcorn and a big smile on my face.

Are you off your medication again ?

 

[duster19]

But is there anyone here who wouldn't like to see Griff use his size a little more aggressively?

ME!

I dont think he will ever be a Pronger/Stevens type player, seems to passive. He was not overly physical in JR either. He will use it to gain a positionAl edge, but I dont see him ever imposing his will on teams physically. Nobody.is going to be on the lookouy because Grif is on the ice.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

ME!

I dont think he will ever be a Pronger/Stevens type player, seems to passive. He was not overly physical in JR either. He will use it to gain a positionAl edge, but I dont see him ever imposing his will on teams physically. Nobody.is going to be on the lookouy because Grif is on the ice.

CdH is more physical than Griff is.

That has to change.

 

[LeapOnOver]

CdH is more physical than Griff is.

That has to change.

Standing next to each other Griff doesn't look that much bigger either. I don't think he's built as well as everyone keeps claiming he is.

 

[BillD]

Standing next to each other Griff doesn't look that much bigger either. I don't think he's built as well as everyone keeps claiming he is.

He is still only 20, he will fill out and add some muscle over the next 2-3 years.

I don't think that Griff is mean or plays a mean game. But he can be coached to use his body more assertively to take out players. It will be a continuing theme as his size begs of him to be more assertive.
Coaching has not gotten Okposo to use his bulk as a hitter, he uses it along the walls in 50/50 puck battles. Griff probably will be forced to play more assertively than Oakie just because of the position.

 

[Riseonfire]

Think Karl Alzner.

Won't wow you almost ever, but will be steady and reliable for years. in 12 years he's going to be the veteran Dman teams try to bring in for a playoff push and to mentor young Dmen.

 

[msv957]

Won't wow you almost ever, but will be steady and reliable for years. in 12 years he's going to be the veteran Dman teams try to bring in for a playoff push and to mentor young Dmen.

I would think the Isles would want more from a player who was picked 4th overall in a pretty good draft year.

 

[scott99]

I would think the Isles would want more from a player who was picked 4th overall in a pretty good draft year.

The comparison I made was Adam Foote. After a few seasons, would you have been angry if we picked him 4th overall, probably, but the overall body of work, Foote was a fantastic defender.

 

[scott99]

Just saw the Swedish and Russian rosters for the WJHC, Soderstrom and Sorokin are on their teams rosters. Of course, I believe these are preliminary rosters and they still have to make cuts. I think both will make their teams. I also believe Dal Colle is pretty much a lock. So those are the 3 guys to watch as islander's fans at the WJHC's late December (believe it starts December 26th).

 

[WangMustGo]

The comparison I made was Adam Foote. After a few seasons, would you have been angry if we picked him 4th overall, probably, but the overall body of work, Foote was a fantastic defender.

I just don't think he will ever be as nasty as Foote was. Foote was a great defenseman, didn't provide much in the offensive zone, but he was a guy you'd love if he was on your team, and hate if you were playing him.

Next offseason Griff really needs to work on his foot speed, if he does that I think everything else will come naturally.

 

[IslandersFan17]

I'm surprised so many people are down on reinharts game this early in his career. As to say he couldn't develop into a bit more aggressive player or that he even needs that side to become a special player.

Not for nothing Reinhart was high regarded in his draft year without bring noted for a physical streak. Yet, the kid was said to have incredible hockey IQ while possessing a little bit of every defender in the classes top attribute.

This was not like the islanders reached and missed out on a top tier guy. Reinhart was not only looked at as a top five pick but was often most linked to the islanders.

 

[Strome18]

I'm surprised so many people are down on reinharts game this early in his career. As to say he couldn't develop into a bit more aggressive player or that he even needs that side to become a special player.

Not for nothing Reinhart was high regarded in his draft year without bring noted for a physical streak. Yet, the kid was said to have incredible hockey IQ while possessing a little bit of every defender in the classes top attribute.

This was not like the islanders reached and missed out on a top tier guy. Reinhart was not only looked at as a top five pick but was often most linked to the islanders.

Reinhardt is the new strome, niño, cdh, Nelson prior to them turning the corner.

 

[boredmale]

I'm surprised so many people are down on reinharts game this early in his career. As to say he couldn't develop into a bit more aggressive player or that he even needs that side to become a special player.

Not for nothing Reinhart was high regarded in his draft year without bring noted for a physical streak. Yet, the kid was said to have incredible hockey IQ while possessing a little bit of every defender in the classes top attribute.

This was not like the islanders reached and missed out on a top tier guy. Reinhart was not only looked at as a top five pick but was often most linked to the islanders.

I personally have no problem with Reinhart, but the biggest problem with drafting a guy like Reinhart is you won't start seeing what a good pick it is till he is like 23/24. Great thing about Reinhart in the long run is because he won't fully mature till later his first contract after his ELC will probably be pretty cheap(which is great when you trying to manage a cap)

 

[A Pointed Stick]

I'm surprised so many people are down on reinharts game this early in his career. As to say he couldn't develop into a bit more aggressive player or that he even needs that side to become a special player.

Not for nothing Reinhart was high regarded in his draft year without bring noted for a physical streak. Yet, the kid was said to have incredible hockey IQ while possessing a little bit of every defender in the classes top attribute.

This was not like the islanders reached and missed out on a top tier guy. Reinhart was not only looked at as a top five pick but was often most linked to the islanders.

Dude, no one is down on the guy. IMO, he just needs to add some more resume items to get even better.

 

[IslandersFan17]

Dude, no one is down on the guy. IMO, he just needs to add some more resume items to get even better.

I'm not just referring to posters on this board. There are a large portion of fans that dint use this website or message boards at all for that matter.

 

[Sheva7]

I personally have no problem with Reinhart, but the biggest problem with drafting a guy like Reinhart is you won't start seeing what a good pick it is till he is like 23/24.

Bang on

 

[BillD]

I just don't think he will ever be as nasty as Foote was. Foote was a great defenseman, didn't provide much in the offensive zone, but he was a guy you'd love if he was on your team, and hate if you were playing him.

Next offseason Griff really needs to work on his foot speed, if he does that I think everything else will come naturally.

^^ This. He moves like an aircraft carrier making a turn.
Needs to seriously upgrade foot speed and quickness, lateral movement. He does it all with his reach, but stick checks don't work in the NHL.
His main talent is his hockey IQ, reading plays and positioning angles, but you need the quickness to get there.

 

[kuwo]

^^ This. He moves like an aircraft carrier making a turn.
Needs to seriously upgrade foot speed and quickness, lateral movement. He does it all with his reach, but stick checks don't work in the NHL.
His main talent is his hockey IQ, reading plays and positioning angles, but you need the quickness to get there.

Really? I'm no expert but it looks to me that stick checks are the most effective means to dispossess opposing players or break their plays.

Back to Reinhart, I think it's mostly his lack of agility. His straight ahead speed looks fine to me, but turning and as you said lateral movement aren't at the level they need to be yet. I actually don't think he lacks physical element, he is just smarter about it and not very aggressive. Needs to gain more strength though...

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

December 10
Swift Current 6, Regina 4-Burroughs, 2 assists, - 1.

 

[BillD]

Really? I'm no expert but it looks to me that stick checks are the most effective means to dispossess opposing players or break their plays.

Back to Reinhart, I think it's mostly his lack of agility. His straight ahead speed looks fine to me, but turning and as you said lateral movement aren't at the level they need to be yet. I actually don't think he lacks physical element, he is just smarter about it and not very aggressive. Needs to gain more strength though...

Kuwo, the lack agility was what I was going for, not speed per se although he could use more of that, most young players can.

I think you will find most if not all hockey professional that would criticize stick checking aa primary defensive tactic. Defensemen always have their stick out to try and poke the puck, but taking that man out is the only way to close him off.

 

[Levi Walking Bear]

December 11
Niagara 7, Peterborough 4-JHS, 1 goal (5), 3 assists, + 4.
First star of the game.