Sam Reinhart - 3rd line player?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Why do the Sabres hate Sam Reinhart?

He was supposed to start as their #3C but apparently that didn't work, so they moved him to wing. Good for his fantasy hockey owners, right? Wrong, he was still put on the 3rd line.

Well, now Okposo is sick, so you'd assume Reinhart takes his spot. Wrong, they're putting Matt Moulson there.

I know he's getting lots of PP time but his ES TOI average so far this season is 10:56 - that's not very good.

I don't actually own Reinhart in any of my leagues but I'm starting to get worried about him. Any Buffalo fans out there who can shed some light into this situation?

Please notice that this is not one of those "What's wrong with Player X?" type of threads as I'm only worried about his usage and not the lack of production. I would be similarly worried if he had 4 points instead of his current 0 points.

[JagrBomb]

Contract year. Keep him out of the top 6 so you can lock him up long term cheap and then glue him to Eichel next year.

At least that's what I keep telling myself as he lays gooseeggs...

[J0e Th0rnton]

A lot of coaches are emphasizing making 3 solid lines as opposed to stacked lines this year.

Chicago in running Kane with Hartman and Schmaltz, while putting Sharp and anisimov on the 3rd line with Debrincat.

Palat is playing 3rd line with Point instead of with johnson and Stamkos

The canes are playing Skinner on the 3rd line
Sens are playing Hoffman on 3rd line

pens decided to place Hornqvist on 3rd line



The only outright example of stupidity I have seen is montreal continually demoting Galchenyuk to lower line wing. Drouin is not exactly a defensive stalwart, but they forgive him since he is a gars de Chez nous.

[Jouko-Pouko]

A lot of coaches are emphasizing making 3 solid lines as opposed to stacked lines this year.

Chicago in running Kane with Hartman and Schmaltz, while putting Sharp and anisimov on the 3rd line with Debrincat.

Palat is playing 3rd line with Point instead of with johnson and Stamkos

The canes are playing Skinner on the 3rd line
Sens are playing Hoffman on 3rd line

pens decided to place Hornqvist on 3rd line



The only outright example of stupidity I have seen is montreal continually demoting Galchenyuk to lower line wing. Drouin is not exactly a defensive stalwart, but they forgive him since he is a gars de Chez nous.

Out of all the names you mentioned (not counting Galchenyuk), the lowest ES TOI number belongs to Sharp who has 12:06 which is still over a minute more than what Reinhart is getting. You make a great point about them trying to spread the offense but at least get his ES TOI closer to the 14 minute mark, similar to what Skinner is getting for example.

[Axeman33]

Why do the Sabres hate Jack Eichel? They have him skating with Pommer and Girgensons. LOL!

[Jouko-Pouko]

Why do the Sabres hate Jack Eichel? They have him skating with Pommer and Girgensons. LOL!

Eichel is a special talent, he can carry two lesser linemates with him. Reinhart is not that type of player, at least not yet.

[Axeman33]

Eichel is a special talent, he can carry two lesser linemates with him. Reinhart is not that type of player, at least not yet.

Why give him deadwood to carry. Give him quality to play with.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Why give him deadwood to carry. Give him quality to play with.

Yeah, well, isn't that what we've been saying about Crosby as well? And yeah, Reinhart would be a good linemate for Eichel, solving both problems.

[Magicstew]

Buffalo 0fer to start the season, time for some line changes? Is Reinhart a buy low

[GSD]

Yes very frustrating. Dropped Larkin and his great schedule for him, only to find out he got dropped to the third line. Luckily I used my waiver to drop him and get Larkin back. The only player that is more frustrating to me in the entire NHL is Letang��

[finnys_fanatsy]

i cant see this lasting too much longer..hes not a 3rd line guy.. he needs better mates!

[RizzeeDizzee]

I'm going to cover Renhart in Cage Match next week (i.e., 9 days from now) and already in my early research I've seen some troubling signs. More to follow in the column.

[finnys_fanatsy]

I'm going to cover Renhart in Cage Match next week (i.e., 9 days from now) and already in my early research I've seen some troubling signs. More to follow in the column.

...troubling signs...gawd noooo!

[kingpin_co]

I drafted him as a rookie as a late round keeper, hoping to strike gold - I'm still a believer, but this is probably the last year I hold him as a keeper if he doesn't take another step forward

Speaking of which, I was just looking at his stats... Not that this is how it works per se, but his production the last two season has increased by roughly 8-10% (42pts then 47pts), similarly with his SOG: 165 to 178... If he were to increase by the same margin, he'd score 52pts, with about 195 SOG

That'd be good, but not great... which is what I think we are all expecting

This all being said, I am not overly concerned about his early season line assignments... The season is young, so much can change, and likely will

Finally, alot has been said about his hockey IQ, and how he is a "smart" player - No doubt he is a great hockey player, but perhaps this is Toews 2.0? aka better real life player than fantasy

[spacecowboy]

I was thrilled when I nabbed him in the 2nd round of my keeper re-draft (12th round, 12th pick in total) but this start to the year has been atrocious.

Put him with Jack already!