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Buffalo Sabres Should Send Sam Reinhart Down

By Billy Weltzer |

There is no doubt that Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart has improved since last year. He is quicker and stronger on his skates to go along with his supreme hockey I.Q.

This may be an unpopular opinion, especially three games into the season, but I would like to see Sam Reinhart sent down to the Rochester Americans for a portion of this season. Here’s why:

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Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma had Reinhart playing on the fourth line and yes, he assisted on Deslauriers’ goal Saturday, but that was mostly due to the puck hitting him and Deslauriers slamming it home.

There are flashes of brilliance from Reinhart for the Buffalo Sabres. He always seems to be in the right position, makes quick, effective passes that you don’t see that often, and he’s a hard worker, even if he gets knocked off the puck.

Sam has the skill, but putting him on the fourth line for the Buffalo Sabres won’t let him use that.

This is why I suggest he goes down to Rochester. He will likely play on the top line, if not the 2nd and no less. He will get plenty of ice time and he can fine-tune his game even more.

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    • Look, the kid is 19. The fact that he is playing in the NHL right now shows he has the goods to stick around, but not just yet.

    Reinhart will be elite, he’s too good not to be, but he’s not Jack Eichel right now. Sam needs time to develop and get his full bearings under him so he can come back up to the NHL and start ripping apart defenses.

    I guarantee that a few years from now, no one will care that Sam was sent down to Kooteney and Rochester in his first two seasons. He’ll be producing at an NHL level and helping the Buffalo Sabres win games.

    At the end of the day, that is his job, just like every other player, and sending him down to Rochester will help the Sabres achieve that. It may not be this year, but the last thing I want to continue to see is Reinhart buried on the fourth line with the Buffalo Sabres.

    Next: Can Sam Reinhart Secure a Roster Spot?

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