Time flies, and the draft is only 10 days away.
This long-awaited event will finally let us know who the Montreal Canadiens will select with their fifth overall pick(obviously if he isn’t traded up or even down in the draft).
This will finally put an end to the speculation, rumours and various links between several prospects and the CH.
Gone will be the “Will the CH take a chance on Matvei Michkov? and the “Is Will Smith THE Habs’ target? to name but a few.
In the meantime, however, it’s hard not to analyze and overanalyze every prospect who could be the Tricolore’s pick.
One such prospect, who is really creating quite a debate among Canadiens fans and analysts, is Austrian defenseman David Reinbacher.
It’s a name that was rather unknown a few months ago, but for some has become public enemy number one in Montreal.
Reinbacher is considered by many to be the best defenseman in the draft, and has been closely linked to the CH for several weeks now.
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The vast majority of CH fans, including myself, don’t want to see the CH draft the Austrian defenseman, considering the offensive talent present in this draft.
However, we have to give the player a chance before making up our minds about Reinbacher.
Especially since, according to advanced statistics expert Thibaud Chatel, Reinbacher would be an excellent choice for the CH.
Habsent Minded: What about David Reinbacher? NL IceData Draft Special with Thibaud Chatelhttps://t.co/uqYtEWGzOI
– Eyes On The Prize (@HabsEOTP) June 18, 2023
Chatel mainly explains that what makes Reinbacher so interesting is that he has a very high floor.
The 6-foot-2 Austrian defenseman already seems to have reached it, according to several experts.
“The weird thing about Reinbacher is that you watch him play and you feel like you’re looking at the end product. It’s pretty rare to see a young man be so confident in his game and make so few mistakes with the puck.” – Thibaud Chatel
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What’s most striking about Chatel’s comments on Reinbacher is that, for him, the Austrian defender is exactly the kind of elite, reliable player you need in your team to win the Cup.
Chatel explains that he would be very excited about Reinbacher’s selection if he were the Montreal Canadiens.
The Austrian would represent a cornerstone of the Montreal defense for the next 10 to 15 years, according to Thibaud Chatel.
In short, these are very complimentary words for Reinbacher, giving another side of the coin to a youngster who is not well perceived by everyone.
Still, Reinbacher seems to be a defenseman who will easily establish himself in the NHL, but who won’t become a star, considering he doesn’t seem to have such a high ceiling.
And that’s where I think his selection would frustrate a lot of Montreal fans considering the other options (forwards) that would still be available at #5 along with Reinbacher.
#MatveiMichkov
In short, only a few days left to speculate before the fateful date.
In Rafale
– Here’s a ranking (to be taken lightly) based on Thibaud Chatel’s model.
Throwing it to the wolves.
2023 NHL Draft top32 according to the model.
Lots more explanations in the coming days.Bedard not being 1st is a testimony of how historical Michkov’s and Fantilli’s seasons have been, playing in non-junior leagues. pic.twitter.com/jliD7ScH2m
– Thibaud Chatel (@Thibaud_Chatel) June 15, 2023
– For those interested.
Let me answer a couple of questions now that I invariably get:
I don’t know who the Habs take at five as I don’t know how the top 4 will go.
I like Leonard, Dvorsky or Reinbacher to the Habs personally if they’re there but will he happy with whoever they take.
– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) June 18, 2023
– Analysis of another draft prospect.
Draft 2023: Detailed analysis of Tanner Molendyk #TSLH https://t.co/fDsnCUkaOQ
– Toutsurlehockey.com (@Toutsurlehockey) June 18, 2023
– Of course, you shouldn’t believe everything you see on social networks.
3M views
30k likes
4k RT1 big fake https://t.co/z8Q53I8BPg
– Nilton Jorge (@NiltonJorge) June 18, 2023
– Sad news in the NBA.
After a 17-year career and three Sixth Man of the Year awards, the total points leader off the bench in NBA history Lou Williams will officially retire.
(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/BiYkGa6VEm
– AlleyOop360 (@AlleyOop360) June 18, 2023
– Beautiful moment.
The best thing you’ll see today, and maybe for a while ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Gnk5Mxq0Bs
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 18, 2023