David Reinbacher Returns to Action, But Questions Remain About His Development Path
For David Reinbacher, the journey since being selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 NHL Draft has been anything but smooth. The 19-year-old defenseman has faced a frustrating string of injuries that have followed him across continents-from Switzerland to Canada-and just when it seems like he’s ready to build momentum, something else knocks him off course.
The latest setback came on January 24, when Reinbacher took a heavy hit in a game against the Calgary Wranglers. The collision forced him out of the game and sidelined him for the next five contests with the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s AHL affiliate. Given his history, it was a welcome sight to see him back on the ice this past Saturday as Laval took on the Cleveland Monsters.
And in his return, Reinbacher didn’t just log minutes-he contributed. He picked up an assist, fired one shot on goal, and finished the game with a plus-two rating in Laval’s 4-1 win.
It was a solid outing, especially after a layoff. But the bigger picture remains: Reinbacher has only suited up for 34 of Laval’s 47 games this season.
That kind of limited action is far from ideal for a young defenseman trying to develop his game at the professional level.
While Reinbacher’s return is encouraging, the Canadiens’ front office will be keeping a close eye on how his season unfolds from here. Developmental years are critical, especially for a top-five pick, and missing significant time can slow the progression of even the most promising prospects.
In net, Jacob Fowler continues to make his case for a bigger role. The 21-year-old stopped 22 of 23 shots against Cleveland, posting a sharp .957 save percentage.
Since his return to Laval, Fowler has compiled a 7-2-0 record, and the consistency he’s shown is hard to ignore. He also looked composed during his 10-game stint with the Canadiens earlier this season, showing he can handle NHL pressure.
With Montreal’s goaltending situation still in flux, Fowler could be pushing for a full-time NHL role sooner rather than later.
On the blue line, Reinbacher isn’t just battling injuries-he’s also facing internal competition. Adam Engstrom has climbed ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.
The good news for Reinbacher? Engstrom is a left-shot defenseman, while Reinbacher plays the right side-a position of greater need for Montreal.
Still, there’s more talent coming. Bryce Pickford is turning heads in the WHL with a breakout season, and he’s quickly becoming a name to watch in the Canadiens’ pipeline.
For Reinbacher, the path forward is clear, but not easy. Stay healthy, stay consistent, and show why the Canadiens used a top-five pick on him.
Saturday’s game was a step in the right direction. Now he needs to keep stacking those steps, one shift at a time.