The youth movement in Montreal gains another member. On Wednesday, the Canadiens announced that defenseman David Reinbacher had been recalled from AHL Laval.
Reinbacher, the fifth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, has played in two career NHL games, both coming at the very end of last season.
He had the chance to break camp with the Canadiens, but they opted to start him in the AHL. Now, the needs of the NHL team have them seeing who can come to their aid.
While I have expressed my concerns about other young members of the team, such as goalie Jacob Fowler, I’m willing to take a different viewpoint on Reinbacher. Let’s see what happens.
The Canadiens might as well give Reinbacher a try
This team’s defense has been in a bind for much of the early season. If it wasn’t for the penalty kill quickly coming together, it would be in even worse shape. They’ve allowed an average of 3.67 goals per game, 24th in the NHL, with three games that have seen them allow at least five.
According to MoneyPuck, they have a goals for above expected of 2.94, the fifth worst in the NHL. Three of the four teams that have fared worse are at the bottom of the Western Conference (Canucks, Kings and Flames).
To literally add insult to injury, Mike Matheson is considered day-to-day. They need the depth. Throw whoever they can at the wall and see who sticks.
They’ve called up Owen Beck to see action on offense for that very reason. Might as well call up Reinbacher too and see what he can do on defense.
So what makes Reinbacher different from Fowler, for example, when it comes to seeing what happens? Fowler has played more NHL games. We have somewhat of a benchmark for where he is at.
This allows for more of a judgment call on deciding if he’s ready to see regular action in the NHL.
Meanwhile, Reinbacher has played in two games. There isn’t much to work with there.
Even Beck has more of a sample size at the same age - yes, he’s somehow only 22 and was born the same year as Reinbacher. Beck has played in 29 games over parts of four seasons.
Action in the AHL only provides so much of a barometer for where a player stands - though being near a half-point per game as a defenseman in the AHL is a promising sign.
Eventually, he needs to be recalled so he can get his next test. If he had played multiple stints in the NHL over the course of a few months last season, as Fowler did, then we’d be having a different discussion.
There is keeping an eye on a player's development, and then there is knowing that someone still has to get an opportunity.
If it doesn’t work out, then they can send him back to Laval and see who else can help bolster the defense. On the flip side, this moment is where he establishes himself.
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