In Reinhart’s time with the Sabres, new GMs and coaches floated in with the frequency low-pressure systems dropping lake-effect snow on Buffalo. There was instability there behind the scenes—that I know from folks who worked in various regimes. Definitely stunted development of some—Eichel was not on a good track there. I had Draisaitl over Reinhart on my list, saw and talked to both—I can vouch that a Buffalo scout working for Tim Murray said there was no taking a Euro with the no. 2 pick. I do think situations/perceptions work into this—St Louis didn’t get the opportunities bc it was perceived that someone his size couldn’t play in the league—if he had been a high draft pick or any draft pick, an organization would have given him a harder early push.
In Reinhart’s time with the Sabres, new GMs and coaches floated in with the frequency low-pressure systems dropping lake-effect snow on Buffalo. There was instability there behind the scenes—that I know from folks who worked in various regimes. Definitely stunted development of some—Eichel was not on a good track there. I had Draisaitl over Reinhart on my list, saw and talked to both—I can vouch that a Buffalo scout working for Tim Murray said there was no taking a Euro with the no. 2 pick. I do think situations/perceptions work into this—St Louis didn’t get the opportunities bc it was perceived that someone his size couldn’t play in the league—if he had been a high draft pick or any draft pick, an organization would have given him a harder early push.
You're right, it's crazy that both Eichel and Reinhart are on that "least previous production leading up to a big year at age 28" list.