With zero points in three preseason games, Sam Reinhart admits things are “getting a little frustrating.” The second overall pick in the 2014 draft still hasn’t cemented his spot on the 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres roster, and with just two preseason games remaining, anything less than strong efforts versus Washington tonight and Carolina Friday could mean another season of junior hockey.
“I think the biggest thing is I’m getting chances, trying to create,” Reinhart said, per the Buffalo News. “I’m just going to stick with it and focus on the bigger picture. Obviously that’s part of my game and I think that’s going to have to come. ... I’m focusing on getting better every day and I feel I have. It’s going to be a process and I’m certainly going to want to produce sometime, sooner rather than later. And I feel confident that’s going to happen.”
Sabres coach Ted Nolan said he’d like to see Reinhart, 18, get “a little bit more involved” on the ice, while conceding that young players often need time to adjust to the NHL game.
“I’m quite sure he’s going to play his best two games coming up,” said Nolan.