Montreal Canadiens training camp is officially underway. Some, like David Reinbacher, will try to make the team out of camp, but with few spots available, it will be an uphill battle. Reinbacher will likely garner all the attention as the former 5th overall pick, but he will be trying to break into a deep defensive group. Every defenceman who played regular minutes for the Canadiens last year will be returning this season. That means he will likely have to beat out one of the returning defencemen for a spot. Something that could work in his favour is the fact that Kaiden Guhle will miss the first couple of weeks of the season, and with reports that Arber Xhekaj could be used as a forward, a spot is open for the taking. However, if you were to ask Reinbacher, he believes he is ready to play in the NHL.
David Reinbacher with newfound confidence
During media availabilities, Reinbacher was asked what makes him believe he is ready to make the jump to the NHL; his response: “You’ll see this weekend.” Both Laval Rocket head coach Daniel Jacob and assistant coach Martin Laperriere have said Reinbacher has put in the work this offseason, and the young defenceman believes his time to play in the NHL is right now. He has added some weight to his frame, with reports suggesting he has added seven pounds, which should help him absorb contact and win more puck battles along the boards. We have not really seen a confident Reinbacher since entering the Canadiens organization. His first two years were riddled with injuries, but now, putting those in the rearview mirror, he is coming in with a new swagger.
Something that really stood out was his understanding of the role he needs to play. “I see myself as a shutdown defenseman, but still can play two ways. My priority is on the defensive side, killing plays and making life hard for the other guys out there,” said Reinbacher. He has never been a point producer, but has always been a player who could do a little bit of everything. For the Canadiens, that is exactly the type of player they need. They have an abundance of talented offensive defencemen. Lane Hutson will lead the way in points, but Noah Dobson has also shown an elite offensive game, with a 70-point season during his time with the New York Islanders. Mike Matheson turned himself into the Canadiens' shutdown defenceman, but he was originally the team’s top power-play option, recording 62 points in the 2023-24 season. Reinbacher would be a natural fit for the team’s shutdown role. He will likely start lower in the lineup, but could potentially be paired with Matheson on the penalty kill or in late-game situations. If Reinbacher can show his value as a player who can kill plays, that could be the main reason he makes the roster.
The Canadiens do not need six defencemen who can light up the stat sheet. The team has a lot of offensive talent on its blueline, but they lack a true shutdown defenceman. That is not to say that Reinbacher's offensive production is not important. It will be eventually, but no one is asking him to be a perfect player right away. He still has time to develop that side of his game, but right now his value will be in a shutdown role, something the Canadiens could use more of.
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