Will David Reinbacher Make the Canadiens’ Opening Night Roster Over Xhekaj and Struble?

If David Reinbacher has himself a good training camp, we likely see him start the season on the Montreal Canadiens' opening day roster. The 2023 fifth overall dealt with scrutiny early on through no fault of his own, but instead because the Canadiens decided to use their selection on him and not Matvei Michkov, who most believed was the second-best player in that year's draft. However, Reinbacher holds the power to prove his doubters wrong with his play on the ice, and he might be getting his opportunity soon.

The Canadiens showed how confident they are in Reinbacher by trading fellow defenceman prospect Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues. The Habs' blueline is loaded, and there is not a spot for both of them. The team decided to cash in on Mailloux's value, believing that Reinbacher has the higher upside. There will likely be three players in the mix for the last defenceman spot on the opening day roster. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble will have a slight edge because of their NHL experience, but neither has the upside that Reinbacher possesses.

Reinbacher began his professional career with EHC Kloten in Switzerland's second-tier men's league. He helped EHC Kloten win the Swiss League, securing them promotion to the National League, the top league in Switzerland. As a teenager, Reinbacher was not just a young player logging limited minutes, but was a reliable top-four contributor during his three seasons with EHC Kloten. During his two seasons with EHC Kloten in the National League, Reinbacher had four goals and 33 points in 81 games, while averaging 19 minutes of ice time per game.

Following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season with EHC Kloten, Reinbacher immediately came over to Canada to finish out the year with the Laval Rocket. He played in 11 games and recorded two goals and five points. Reinbacher's 2024-25 season was supposed to be a big year for his development. The Canadiens had hoped he would spend the full 2024–25 season in the AHL, with a potential late-season call-up to gauge his NHL readiness for 2025–26. Unfortunately, during a pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Reinbacher tore his meniscus in his left knee, requiring surgery that would sideline him for six months. He made it back before the end of the season, appearing in 23 games, including the playoffs, posting four goals and 11 points. Despite missing significant time, Reinbacher did not miss a beat when he returned. He fit in seamlessly and looked like the player the Canadiens were hoping he would be.

Reinbacher will not produce eye-popping offensive numbers like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, or Lane Hutson, but instead is a player in the mould of Alex Pietrangelo or Moritz Seider in terms of style of play, someone who can do a little bit of everything. His ability to see the game and process what is going on around him is his greatest strength. He is a sound defender and can create opportunities with his playmaking abilities. With Hutson and Noah Dobson on the roster, Reinbacher may not be someone who will see regular powerplay time, but is very capable of quarterbacking a powerplay with his vision and shooting ability. His defensive capabilities could make him a candidate to replace David Savard, who retired last season, on the penalty kill.

All eyes will be on Reinbacher in this season's training camp, as fans and management will be looking to measure the progress of the former fifth overall pick. He has a real chance of making the roster this season, but the Canadiens will not rush him, as they still have Xhekaj and Struble. If he is ready to go, he would likely be an upgrade over the two as he has a much higher ceiling. Either way, if he is going to play this season or the next, a defence core of him, Hutson, Dobson, and Kaiden Guhle would give the Canadiens one of the most promising young bluelines in the league for years to come.