David Reinbacher

Skating:

While Reinbacher won’t beat players in a flat out foot race, he still moves well for a big defender, and uses smart positioning and spatial awareness so he is rarely in a poor position. He can be sneakily fast on the weak side in a breakout when he sees an opportunity to jump up in the play. He skates fluidly and corners well.

Passing/Handling:

Reinbacher can surprise with some soft hands through the neutral zone, just watch his first AHL goal, especially for someone with his size and reputation. His passing could use some work, but that is more of a problem with his decision making rather than skill.

Shooting:

In the offensive zone, Reinbacher’s best skill is his shot. He has a really heavy, accurate shot, whether its a wrister or slapper. He can reliably get the puck through crowds and hit the net.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

One of the biggest problems I found with Reinbacher’s game is his decision making under pressure. Too often, when he had the puck on his stick in his own zone, it ended up on the stick of an opponent, or simply not making a clean breakout. His anticipation in his own zone and reading opponent attackers is top notch, and he can frequently shut down plays before they begin.

Forechecking:

Reinbacher is generally a pretty conservative, stay at home defender. He uses an active stick in the neutral zone and offensive zone to knock pucks off of sticks and intercept passes and will stand up opponents, putting his big size to great use.

Defense:

Defense is Reinbacher’s bread and butter. He is fantastic in his own zone, positionally, physically and mentally. He has a fantastic stick where he can knock pucks off opponents sticks very easily and block off passes. He is a big physical player, that can clear out the front of the net easily, and get involved with puck battles on the board

Best Asset:

Reinbacher is at his best when he is stopping the opponents attackers from doing anything that they want to do. He is awesome at everything in his own zone.

Biggest Concern:

Reinbacher has some issues with decision making with the puck on his stick. He does have offensive skill, but needs to make better decisions with the puck to become a true puck moving defender.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Tier 1 - Top Pairing Defender

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Especially if paired with an offensive defender, Reinbacher could anchor a first line, while picking up points along the way and eating a huge amount of minutes every night.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Tier 2 - Middle pairing defensive defender.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

If Reinbacher still struggles offensively and moving the puck off of his stick, he will still be a very solid shut-down defender, while not putting up very many points.

Stylistic Comparable:

Ryan McDonough as a physical, defensive defender.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Reinbacher is a classic high floor defender. He will be a very solid NHL level defender for a long time and will eat minutes against great competition. It is just a question of if he can step up his offensive and transtional game to reach his full potential