With respect to Colby Barlow, the left winger has 79 points (33 goals, 46 assists) in 59 games and has a +14 rating with the Owen Sound Attack in the OHL. Also, at the Hlina Gretzky Cup this summer Barlow tallied 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 5 games for gold medalist Team Canada. He is ranked as a first round pick in all but one mock draft I have reviewed (Dobber Prospects ranks him as #38), and is a top 10 pick in 4 of them (#7 by TSN’s Craig Button, #8 by The Hockey News and TSN’s Bob McKenzie, and #9 by Sportsnet). He is viewed by scouts as being a great power play add with his skill in tight and deadly wrist shot, as well as having the versatility to be an effective penalty killer.
David Reinbacher is an Austrian who competes in Switzerland’s top professional league, the National League (NL). The 6’2″ right shot defenseman has 22 points this season (3 goals, 19 assists) in 46 games and has a rating of +7 for EHC Sloten in the NL. Also, he registered 2 assists and was a -7 in 5 games for a winless Austrian team at this year’s world juniors. Like Barlow, Reinbacher is ranked as a first-rounder in all but one mock draft (Recruit Scouting has him ranked at #35). He is touted by scouts as having excellent mobility and using his large frame to his advantage in defending against the rush.
For me, Barlow has a slight edge in this comparison. His exceptional hands, coupled with his willingness to play in the dirty areas of the ice, are coveted NHL assets. Having said that, Reinbacher’s ability to contribute on both sides of the puck affords him the potential to be an elite puck mover and defender.