Sam Reinhart: Forgotten Man

If convincing the world he didn’t exist was the greatest trick the devil ever pulled, then Sam Reinhart finding himself in the shadows is a close second.

Nestled among a higher prospect (Jack Eichel), massive personality (Evander Kane) and the heir-apparent to Chris Drury (Ryan O’Neil) – Reinhart has largely become the forgotten man, an afterthought. When you consider the local off-season talk in Buffalo has also swirled around the Patrick Kane situation, Reinhart drops even further off your radar.

However, dismissing the No. 2 overall pick from 2014 as a flyer or gravy would be a mistake, as the North Vancouver native has shown he can break down fortified defensives better than Anonymous with a self-righteous cause.

Reinhart has largely been knocked for his clunky skating and a year in juniors hasn’t turned him into the second coming of Jeff Skinner, but the 19-year-old does bring a sense of calm and composure to his line’s play. It's rare that an athlete can have such an impact on the flow of play, but Reinhart does just that on every shift.

It stands to reason that this presence also extends into the room. Reinhart likely hasn’t earned the respect of grizzled NHL veterans yet, but if this kid is allowed to come up with a core group of players – he is a strong bet to emerge as a primary leader.

Eichel, on the other hand, seems more like someone who will pass off spectacular play on the ice as leadership. Not many players can lead through their performance and Sabres fans would likely have no problem with a lassiez-faire type leader, so long as he’s pumping in the goals. However, Sabres fans also want a blue-collar general who will lead out of the trenches and into No Man’s Land when the going gets tough. It’s a role Reinhart seems more naturally suited to fill.

The harsh reality for Sam Reinhart is – he could be on the wrong side of a numbers game. The current Sabres roster has more moving parts than an iPad Pro and if Bylsma is looking to put together a traditional checking line and a traditional “energy” line, it means Reinhart will start the season in Rochester.

Not having to clear waivers, Reinhart starting the season in Rochester is the type of cold savvy personnel move fans have come to expect from Tim Murray. But the assignment could be an opportunity for Reinhart to focus on his skating and connecting with his peers, rather than scratching and scraping for ice time with the big club.

Unless Tim Murray sees a deal for Reinhart he can’t refuse, expect Reinhart to end his disappearing act with Sabres fans real soon.