David Reinbacher’s development has been closely watched ever since the Montreal Canadiens selected him fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. After dealing with injuries earlier in his career, the young defenceman is now finding his rhythm with the Laval Rocket. With the Canadiens locked in a tight playoff race in the Atlantic Division, the question naturally arises: Should Montreal give Reinbacher a chance to play in the NHL before the end of the season?
Reinbacher Playing Some of His Best Hockey
Over the past couple of weeks, Reinbacher has arguably been playing some of the best hockey of his young professional career. In his last five games with the Rocket, the 21-year-old defenceman has recorded six points while posting an impressive plus-6 rating. While the numbers themselves are encouraging, it is the overall way he is playing that stands out even more.
Reinbacher has been logging heavy minutes in Laval and is being trusted in all situations. Whether it is defending against top lines, contributing on the power play, or closing out games late, the Austrian defenceman has taken on an increasingly important role with the Rocket. His confidence with the puck appears to be growing, and he has been making quicker, more decisive plays in transition.
Defensively, the steadiness that made him such a highly regarded prospect has also been on display. Reinbacher has been more consistent in his positioning, using his strong skating and reach to break up plays and move the puck efficiently out of the defensive zone. The offensive production is a nice bonus, but his overall composure and reliability have been the most encouraging signs.
For a young defenceman still adjusting to the North American game, this recent stretch suggests that Reinbacher is becoming more comfortable and beginning to fully showcase the tools that made him a top-five pick.
A Possible Call-Up?
Given his strong play in Laval, it is fair to wonder whether the Canadiens might consider giving Reinbacher a brief NHL opportunity before the end of the season. Late-season call-ups are not uncommon, especially for young prospects who are pushing for a bigger role.
From Montreal’s perspective, such a move could serve multiple purposes. First, it would allow the organization to see where Reinbacher currently stands in his development against NHL competition. The speed and physicality of the NHL are very different from the American Hockey League (AHL), and getting a few games of experience could be valuable for the young defenceman.
Second, it could provide Reinbacher with a taste of what awaits him next season. Experiencing the NHL environment, even in a limited role, can often help prospects understand the level they need to reach in order to become full-time players. For Reinbacher, even a few games could provide valuable exposure to the NHL pace and give fans a glimpse of what the future might hold on Montreal’s blue line.
Not That Easy for the Canadiens
Despite Reinbacher’s strong play and the potential benefits of a call-up, the situation is not as simple as it might seem. The Canadiens’ current roster structure makes it difficult to find an easy path for him to step into the lineup.
At the moment, Montreal already has extra players on the roster. The team currently carries three extra forwards, and on defence, Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj have been rotating as the sixth and seventh defencemen. That rotation already creates a situation where one defenceman regularly sits out games.
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Unless an injury occurs, inserting Reinbacher into the lineup would likely mean taking ice time away from players who are already competing for those spots. For a team that is fighting for positioning in what has become a very tight race in the Atlantic Division, lineup decisions are primarily about winning games rather than development.
That context is important. Unlike previous seasons when the Canadiens were clearly rebuilding and could afford to experiment with young players, the team is now in a much more competitive situation. Every game matters, and the coaching staff will likely lean on players they already trust in the lineup.
Because of that, the most likely scenario is that Reinbacher finishes the season in Laval, where he can continue playing big minutes and developing in a key role with the Rocket. That situation may ultimately be better for his long-term growth than sitting in the NHL press box.
Still, if injuries occur or circumstances change, the possibility of seeing Reinbacher in a Canadiens uniform before the season ends cannot be completely ruled out. For now, though, his strong play in Laval is exactly what the organization wants to see as he continues progressing toward becoming a key part of Montreal’s future blue line.
