Speculation: Sam Reinhart: C or W?
- Thread starter Snippit
- Start date
Pretty much. Unless ROR switches to wing, Reinhart won't be playing center. There's really not any reason to make that switch, though.
Rhett4
Buffalo Selects Jack
I see him at wing for at least the next two seasons. ROR is an elite second center that most teams dream about having in that slot. Reinhart provides us a top six RW who pairs well with Eichel, so no sense in changing that either.
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Why?
I think moving Samson to C would have one big downside: it would make DZone exits tougher as Samson is a wizard at getting that pass along the boards and triggering the exit with a nice pass to either his C or the other W.
NotABadPeriod
ForFriendshipDikembe
- Oct 28, 2006
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Just because Reinhart is a top 6 calibur forward doesn't mean he can't play center on a third scoring line.
Assuming ROR, Eichel, and Larsson each center their own line, that means one of Reinhart or Girgensons must be the last center (which means only one can be a top 6 winger). I don't think going with three scoring lines is necessarily a bad thing:
Kane-ROR-Okposo
Moulson-Eichel-Girgensons
(prospect)-Reinhart-Ennis
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers
Obviously this depends on Moulson not totally sucking.
But the other option with Girgensons at center.
Kane-ROR-Okposo
(prospect)-Eichel-Reinhart
Moulson-Girgensons-Ennis
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers
Hoping that reuniting the MGE line works well.
Reinhart centering the "third" line doesn't mean he won't get PP time and you could easily balance ES time by rolling all 4 lines.
Assuming ROR, Eichel, and Larsson each center their own line, that means one of Reinhart or Girgensons must be the last center (which means only one can be a top 6 winger). I don't think going with three scoring lines is necessarily a bad thing:
Kane-ROR-Okposo
Moulson-Eichel-Girgensons
(prospect)-Reinhart-Ennis
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers
Obviously this depends on Moulson not totally sucking.
But the other option with Girgensons at center.
Kane-ROR-Okposo
(prospect)-Eichel-Reinhart
Moulson-Girgensons-Ennis
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers
Hoping that reuniting the MGE line works well.
Reinhart centering the "third" line doesn't mean he won't get PP time and you could easily balance ES time by rolling all 4 lines.
Samson's superior defensive instincts would provide better coverage down low and allow him to send equally wizard like passes to his wingers.
Eichel gets to cheat on offense and use his wherls to burn defenses and still come back on a nasty back check.
It fits both of their strengths better currently imo. Long term I want Eichel improving his total game so he should be at center.
Husko
Registered User
joshjull
Registered User
Yep. It gives the team options. Well in theory it does if he ever gets a run at center.
Husko
Registered User
I could even see them.... changing it up in the middle of the playoffs.
Lineups change every day. Versatility is a great thing to have.
old kummelweck
Registered User
- Nov 10, 2003
- 25,233
- 5,333
Well, I think the debate should be whether he projects higher than ROR, and if so, when would that occur?
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
I don't want Eichel cheating on offense.
I can see why people are intrigued by Reinhart at center. I just don't see moving Eichel to center in 2016-17 is the best thing for his development as a player.
The real conversation should be the Reinhart as the C with ROR & Eichel or staying as a winger on one of the top 2 lines.
I agree. I also don't expect to see this.
Best problem this franchise has ever had...
AustonsNostrils
Registered User
- Apr 5, 2016
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Not wasting his skills on a 3rd line. He also can't lug the puck out of his own zone and through the neutral zone yet.
he's the best transition/breakout passer on the team
playing him at center would cover up a lot of issues our blueline presents in terms of transition/breakout hockey
struckbyaparkedcar
Guilty of Being Right
OkimLom
Registered User
- May 3, 2010
- 15,269
- 6,751
Doesn't have to lug it out. When you know where to go with the puck and know where to go after you get rid of it, you don't need to have that ability.
Until we can show we have a consistent scoring ability in our top 6, there is no point in moving him to the lower lines just yet. He's an important part of our play in our top 6.
OkimLom
Registered User
- May 3, 2010
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Der Jaeger
Generational EBUG
I would like him at center, but I sort of don't really care. The fact that we are discussing his position because we're deep at center means the rebuild/tank succeeded. Beats discussing the merits of discussing the long term center potential for Luke Adam and Ville Leino.
Man...it's too bad that players can't be skilled, show their skills, score, or make teams better at all when they play a "3rd" line. If only that was possible Reinhart might be able to play C one day...
AustonsNostrils
Registered User
- Apr 5, 2016
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It's a part of the game all top centers have, so far when Sam has played center he hasn't been able to do it. I don't expect him to be Eichel or Perrault in that regard. I like him on the wing, in a couple years I'm sure he'll be able to be a high quality 2C. Better tho having him be a 1RW and PP points monster.
Long term I could see him playing either or both and don't think it's a bad thing for the team. If he is talented/skilled enough to play centre and create three somewhat even lines capable of scoring then that helps the team. When it's crunch time or if the team needs a goal they can make the lines top heavy but over the course of a season having three lines that can play somewhat equal minutes and be equally dangerous would be great to see. Maybe the team won't have enough top nine talent for this to happen but a great centre can make average players better so with guys like ROR and Eichel it potentially helps the team get more out of less.
...have to run so that may not quite be how i would prefer to word it but the general sentiment is there
...have to run so that may not quite be how i would prefer to word it but the general sentiment is there
