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St. Louis Blues: How Does Mitch Reinke Fit With 2019-20 Blues

By Jason Martin |
ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 2: Mitch Reinke #39 of the St. Louis Blues skates during warmups before the game against the Washington Capitals at Scottrade Center on April 2, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. Reinke played for team USA during the 2018 Olympics. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 2: Mitch Reinke #39 of the St. Louis Blues skates during warmups before the game against the Washington Capitals at Scottrade Center on April 2, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. Reinke played for team USA during the 2018 Olympics. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)

The St. Louis Blues have all but solidified their top-6 defensemen, leaving a question mark around Mitch Reinke’s role with the club for the upcoming season.

Defensively, the St. Louis Blues have their roster all but finalized. The only looming question around the Blues blue line is whether or not restricted free agent Joel Edmundson will return. Either way, Mitch Reinke figures to be part of the team.

Reinke has played in one career NHL game, back on March 31, 2018, Reinke debut after signing as a college free agent from Michigan Tech University. The defenseman played 13:05 and recorded one shot in a loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

Since that time, Reinke has not seen action in an NHL game. He has spent the entirety of his career in the American Hockey League, playing for the Blues affiliate San Antonio Rampage.

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The 23-year-old has found some great offensive success while playing for the Rampage.

In 76 games for San Antonio last season, Reinke netted 12 goals and added 33 assists en route to a 45-point season.

Reinke finished in second place in points for the Rampage during the 2018-19 season, trailing only Joey LaLeggia who netted 47 points.

When discussing where Reinke fits into the Blues plans for the upcoming season, it is important first to figure out who is ahead of him in the team’s depth chart.

We know that the Blues already have a solid top-6 group, even without Edmundson. Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko, Vince Dunn, Carl Gunnarsson, and Robert Bortuzzo will all get extended playing time when healthy.

St. Louis figures to keep at least one defenseman as a healthy scratch during the year. The Blues signed Derrick Pouliot to a one year deal on July 1, and also have Jordan Schmaltz who has one year left on his contract before becoming an RFA.

Pouliot has significant NHL experience. He has played 200 games in the NHL with two different teams over five years. Even if his numbers are not that impressive, Pouliot is a guy who has been there and done that.

Schmaltz, meanwhile, is a guy we are all waiting to see take the next step in his development. He played in 20 games for the Blues last season but has yet to stand out and make an impression.

If someone goes down with an injury, and the Blues do not want to use Schmaltz or Pouliot, Reinke might be the first to get the call.

He will have to beat out guys like LaLeggia (who has never played in the NHL) and Jake Walman, but St. Louis seems to like what Reinke can bring to the table.

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Like many young prospects in the Blues system, Reinke will need to have an excellent training camp and preseason to reaffirm his status as a top prospect. If he accomplishes this, look for him to make an appearance at some point this season.

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