Welcome to another prospect profile here on A Winning Habit, where we learn more about some players the Canadiens could potentially select with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. This is the sixth edition, where we will be looking at defensive prospect David Reinbacher. You can find the first five prospect profiles here:
Reinbacher played in the Swiss National League this past season, the same league Auston Matthews played in during his draft year back in 2016. Reinbacher put up 22 points in 46 games, a pretty good clip for a defenseman in their draft year. The Swiss National League is a men’s league, one of the better ones in Europe, so to perform well there, at that age, is a good sign. Reinbacher also represented Austria at the 2023 World Juniors and World Championships, impressing scouts there with his game.
David Reinbacher is EP's top-ranked defenceman for the #2023NHLDraft.
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) June 13, 2023
A very projectable defender due to skating, physicality, and work rate. Breakouts improved a ton during the season, capable both as a passer and carrier. A big shot and flashes legitimate OZ playmaking skill. pic.twitter.com/nWfLsQUX97
Player Rundown
Team: EHC Kloten (Swiss National League)
Height/Weight: 6’2″/187 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
DOB: Oct 25, 2004
Hometown: Hohenems, Austria
Analysis & NHL Projection
Reinbacher has the makings of a very good top-four defenseman with the somewhat slight possibility of developing into a top-pairing guy. He’s rock steady defensively, a good skater and physical, a blend that allows him to effectively kill plays in many different ways. Reinbacher already looks to be a very capable defender, and that will only improve as he continues to develop. His defensive game is easily his most transferable skill, as he’s got good size and will put his tool kit to good use in his own zone as he continues to learn.
Reinbacher is also pretty good with the puck on his stick, showing the ability to make intelligent, effective plays. That said, there are question marks about Reinbacher’s offensive ability at the NHL level. He’s a capable puck mover, but he’s never going to be in the Norris conversation, nor will he be quarterbacking a powerplay. It’s probably easier to classify him as a good, modern-day stay-at-home defenseman. He certainly could continue to develop his offensive game and pair it with his big shot to become a more capable two-way guy, but that’s not as projectable.
Still, his role is something teams covet, especially on the right side, which is becoming rarer in today’s game. He’ll eat minutes and can be a very effective second-pairing guy on a playoff team, one that can be used late in games to protect a lead. Reinbacher looks like a potential, 30-point, 20+ minute a night kind of player, a crucial player on any team.
David Reinbacher Draft Projection
Reinbacher didn’t start the year on teams’ radars, but after a solid year, he’s cemented himself as the best defenseman in the draft by many sources. And now it looks like Reinbacher will be the first defenseman taken in this year’s draft, likely in the top ten. As I said, teams covet a good right-shot defenseman, especially one as capable as Reinbacher. The fact that it’s a weaker defensive class also helps the Austrian’s case to go top ten.
Reinbacher’s Fit With The Canadiens
Reinbacher would fit in very nicely on the Canadiens’ blueline, as they could certainly use more talented right-shot defensemen. The Habs have a surplus of LHD, but their depth on the right side is pretty thin. Adding Reinbacher certainly adds some much-needed depth while also adding a solid player to help anchor their top four for the next decade. Reinbacher would be a good fit with the Canadiens on need and fit alone.
That being said, the Canadiens don’t have just one need, nor is Reinbacher necessarily the best fit. And in a draft as stacked as this one, I’m not particularly in favour of spending the fifth overall pick on a second-pair defenseman who might have top-pairing upside. Not when more talented prospects are on the board who can help the Canadiens address another, more critical need. Scoring. If the Canadiens were near completing their rebuild (they’re not) and just needed one more solid foundational piece (they need quite a few more), especially on the blue line, I wouldn’t mind this pick.
If I was ranking prospects I’d like to have on the Canadiens I’d go:
— Ryan Praught (@RyanPraught) June 15, 2023
1) Bedard
2) Fantilli
3) Michkov
4) Carlsson
5) Smith
6) Benson
7) Leonard
8) Reinbacher
The reality is, I just can’t overlook the talented forward crop that will be available to the Canadiens at five in order to make this pick. The Canadiens have been offensively starved for a long time, so passing up this opportunity to take a giant step toward fixing that would be foolish. Besides, next year’s draft looks much deeper on the blueline, so I’d prefer to wait another year anyway.
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