David Reinbacher: “it’s up to him” if he starts the year in Montreal, says Kent Hughes

Dose
Crédit: LAVAL, QC - FEBRUARY 19: Laval Rocket defenseman David Reinbacher (64) plays the puck during the Manitoba Moose versus the Laval Rocket game on February 19, 2025, at Place Bell in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

David Reinbacher is a great project in the organization, and the Canadiens believe in him to the point where he was drafted ahead of Matvei Michkov and many other top players. Why? Because the Habs believe in him, and because he’s a right-handed defenseman who would, in the best of all possible worlds, line up on the blue line with Lane Hutson for years to come. Obviously, it’s been tough in recent years. We didn’t hear much about him following his “lost” season in Kloten at 18, and the one he lost in Laval due to a serious injury at 19. But now Reinbacher is ready to play to the best of his ability, and he’s going to be hungry at the Habs camp.

In an interview with Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic), the Habs GM said:

“We’re hoping David will have a full season behind the tie, and it’s up to him whether he starts in Laval or Montreal. But we took him fifth overall because we believe in what he can offer and we can’t wait to see him be an important part of the club.

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Kent Hughes

[content-ads]Obviously, when we say “Reinbacher decides” where he starts the year, we mean that it’s his on-ice performance at camp that will dictate everything. To me, that’s stronger than simply saying he’s likely to steal a chair.

In fact, in my eyes, if Reinbacher deserves to start the season in the NHL following his camp, the Canadiens MUST make room for him, on the heels of the boss‘s comments .Otherwise, it wouldn’t be consistent with the GM’s statements.

Remember that, at the moment, seven defensemen (Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier, Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj) are lining up to start the NHL season – if all goes well.So if everyone is healthy, making room for the Austrian won’t be easy. But if he deserves it and plays in camp the way he played in the playoffs in Laval, we’ll have to make room for him.[spacer title=’Overtime’]- Raising $25,000 is excellent.

– Normal.

– Enjoy.

– Taylor Swift in the next Super Bowl?[RDS] – Wow.