The Montreal Canadiens announced their final roster cuts after the preseason, and, as a bit of a surprise, former fifth-overall pick David Reinbacher will start the season with the Laval Rocket. Reinbacher garnered a lot of attention this preseason, and rightfully so. Fans have been waiting for the day he finally breaks into the lineup full-time, and it looked like it would be his year. He put in the work this offseason. The coaches had nothing but glowing things to say about his improvements. He added size, looked confident, and his play reflected that. However, when the Canadiens announced the seven defencemen who would start in the NHL this season, his name was not among them.
Preseason was just the first step for Reinbacher
A lot has been made about Reinbacher’s first two seasons in the Canadiens organization. He played just 11 games in 2024-25 after suffering a knee injury in preseason, and again missed the start of the season last year after a hand injury kept him out the first month. He missed more than 60 games combined in those two seasons, likely a factor in the Canadiens' decision, despite the strong showing this year. His preseason was a positive step in the right direction, but right now the best thing for his progression is playing regularly. While Kaiden Guhle is set to miss the first couple of weeks of the season, when he returns, he could eat into a lot of the minutes Reinbacher would be getting. It would not do Reinbacher any good being rotated into the lineup as the 7th defenceman.
The best thing for Reinbacher moving forward is playing significant minutes regularly. He will get that opportunity in Laval. With Adam Engstrom on the Canadiens roster to start the season, Reinbacher will be the leader of the Rocket defence core. The AHL does not release ice time per game as the NHL does, but it is safe to say that Reinbacher’s minutes per game will see a serious increase this season. He should have an opportunity to play significant minutes in all situations, including on the penalty kill and late in games. This is not a step back for Reinbacher, but a chance to prove his great preseason was foreshadowing of what is to come.
Play not the only factor in Reinbacher starting in Laval
Based strictly on his preseason performance, Reinbacher should be starting the season with the Canadiens. A factor in the decision to start Reinbacher in Laval was likely his waiver-exempt status. If the Canadiens chose him over Jayden Struble or Arber Xhekaj to play for Laval, both those players would have to go through waivers to be eligible to be sent to the Rocket. The Canadiens would risk losing them for nothing, which would negate the depth that they have at that position.
The decision probably came down to Engstrom and Reinbacher. If last season’s play factored into the decision, then it is clear why Engstrom made the team over him. Engstrom had little left to prove in the AHL. He has played 111 games with the Rocket over the last two seasons, and was a force on offence last year. Engstrom was named to the AHL’s 2025-26 Top Prospects Team after recording 34 points in 45 games. Reinbacher will get his shot, and if he starts off the season the way he played in the preseason, it would not be shocking to see him make the jump to the NHL during the season.
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