In a forward-heavy NHL draft class, groups on the lookout for defensemen have choices topped by Reinbacher

David Reinbacher was fast to rally to the protection of his fellow defensemen, and whether or not this yr’s NHL draft class of blue liners lacks depth and is getting overshadowed by the hype relating to a Connor Bedard-led group of high-skilled forwards.

“I would say it’s not a lack,” the 18-year-old Austrian stated on the latest draft mix in Buffalo, New York.

“There are so many good defense also here, like Pellikka and the Russian guy,” he added referring to Sweden’s Axel Sandin Pellikka and Mikhail Gulyayev. “So I would say, we’re a good group of defensemen who can show the forwards where to go.”

How’s that for confidence from the 6-foot-2 Reinbacher, who may very well be the primary blue-liner chosen when the two-day draft opens in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday evening? Reinbacher made his professional debut within the Swiss League at 16, and final season led the league’s youngsters with 22 factors (three targets, 19 assists) in 46 video games to earn most improved participant honors.

Positional bias apart, questions revolving across the depth of expertise on this yr’s defensive crop persist.

“There are some quality defensemen, I think, in the first round,” stated Philadelphia Flyers assistant basic supervisor Brent Flahr, whose staff is scheduled to open with the seventh choose. “But overall, I don’t think it’s a real deep draft for defensemen.”

Buffalo Sabres chief scout Jerry Forton stated one of many intriguing questions of this draft revolves round defensemen, with who going first and when.

“I’ve been shocked to see some of the mock drafts, the lack of defensemen near the top. I think there’s a handful of defensemen in this draft that could be really good long-term NHL players,” stated Forton, with Buffalo set to open the draft deciding on thirteenth. “I think you could see two defensemen taken in the top 12, or you could see three or four. Neither one would shock.”

The Athletic’s newest mock draft tasks Reinbacher going fifth to Montreal, whereas NHL.com has him going eighth to Washington. Though not a mock draft, TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s annual rating of prime prospects has Reinbacher listed eighth as his prime defenseman.

It’s been 20 years since a defenseman was chosen exterior of the highest 5 picks. It final occurred in 2003, when Ryan Suter went No. 7 to the Predators in a draft additionally held in Nashville, and marked the final time a goalie – Marc Andre-Fleury – was chosen first.

Valued as defensemen are by groups, forwards – and predominantly facilities – have historically been the highest choose.

Among the latest exceptions have been the Sabres utilizing the No. 1 choose to draft Owen Power in 2021 and Rasmus Dahlin in 2018, and Aaron Ekblad going first to Florida in 2014. The solely different defenseman drafted first within the wage cap period was Erik Johnson going to St. Louis in 2006.

“I think these trends go in cycles, and this is definitely the year for the skilled, speedy forwards,” NHL Central Scouting chief Dan Marr stated. “I can’t tell you who the first defenseman will go in the draft.”

Central Scouting rankings of defensemen are low compared to earlier years. Reinbacher heads the defensemen on the worldwide skaters record, ranked fifth total. Central Scouting’s prime 17 North American skaters are all forwards, earlier than Lukas Dragicevic is available in as the primary defenseman at No. 18, instantly adopted by Etienne Morin.

That didn’t cease Marr from predicting Morin to be the primary blue-liner chosen.

“It’s obviously a really nice comment to get and put my confidence up for the draft,” Morin stated, referring to Marr’s prediction. “If you would have asked me this a couple of years ago, I would have said, `You’re crazy. It’s never going to happen.’”

At 6-feet and 180 kilos, Morin led QMJHL defensemen with 21 targets and ranked third in averaging 1.07 factors per outing by ending with 72 factors in 67 video games. He greater than doubled his rookie season complete of eight targets, 33 factors, in 64 video games with Moncton.

Morin stated he isn’t bothered by the thought this yr’s draft is dominated by forwards. He stated they deserve the eye.

“Every forward in this draft is unbelievable,” Morin stated. “Obviously, the defensemen are going to be less watched. But if a team wants a defenseman, I’m going to be there.”

For some, it’s a matter of when the run would possibly begin or how groups construct their draft lists.