Quote:
Originally Posted by djsFlames
To me, the being a continuing center is the biggest reason. Second to that is big stage performance (U18,WJC), but then again, can't compare when the other guy hasn't had that opportunity.
However, I think early bloomers (in stats) can be overrated. Looking at guys like Shinkaruk.. Drouin being an example of a guy who got his footing in the stats department later but looks every bit better than the top picks this year.
Dal Colle having picked up his point pace this season on a heavy incline is a good sign to me. It's only his second year in the OHL. And looking back before that he was a big scorer clicking over a goal/game. So the goal scoring is certainly in his roots.
For the Flames' needs I'd put grit+size+skill over IQ+skill. But centers are a prized asset. Perhaps Dal Colle can still bring that abiltiy.
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While I am not really disagreeing with you, the more you watch Reinhart play, the more he stands out. He is not a product of his linemates - his linemates are a product of him. He is much like Monahan in that you don't really notice him until suddenly he is in a prime scoring chance. He can also make plays at high speed and under pressure.
I thought he did pretty well in the tournament, especially considering his age. I thought Ekblad was really great as well. Yes, some games were definitely not great, but the entire team didn't show up much for those except a few players.
Reinhart is ranked so high for a very good reason - he is that much better than any other forward at the moment. Will he continue to be in his pro career? I think he will be a very wonderful compliment to Monahan, and he isn't a small center either. I really believe having two very high IQ centers that compete in every zone will make this team very difficult to play against in the future. I am not going to say that Monahan and Reinhart will end up being like this, but I kind of picture them as Datsyuk and Zetterberg in that way - they never stop skating, can hurt you offensively but skate back hard and take the puck back for the team.
I remember early on in the tournament, Canada was down on a 5-3 PK. Who was the forward that Canada sent out? Reinhart. I think that says a lot about his two-way game and how good it really is.