David Reinbacher’s Season in Laval: A Work in Progress with Purpose
David Reinbacher’s 2025-26 campaign with the Laval Rocket hasn’t followed a straight line-and that’s okay. Development, especially for young defensemen, rarely does. For Reinbacher, this season has been less about eye-popping numbers and more about the slow, steady climb toward becoming the player the Canadiens believed in when they selected him fifth overall in 2023.
A Season Built on Reps, Not Results
Let’s get the numbers out of the way: 33 games, four goals, ten assists. Not exactly headline-grabbing production.
But Reinbacher wasn’t drafted to run a power play or lead the team in scoring from the blue line. His value lies in his defensive instincts, his ability to read plays under pressure, and his calm presence in high-leverage situations.
That’s the blueprint Montreal saw when they made him a top-five pick.
What’s quietly been the biggest win for Reinbacher this year? Health.
After injuries interrupted his development over the past couple of seasons, he’s finally been able to string together a meaningful stretch of games. That consistency has allowed him to build rhythm, confidence, and start stacking the kind of minutes that matter for a young defenseman finding his footing in the pro game.
Still Learning the Role, Still Earning the Ice
When Logan Mailloux was dealt to the St. Louis Blues over the summer, it looked like Reinbacher had a clear runway to become Laval’s go-to guy on the back end.
But instead of grabbing that role outright, it’s been Adam Engström who’s stepped up and taken the reins. Engström’s logged the tougher minutes, handled the heavier matchups, and emerged as the Rocket’s most dependable defenseman.
That doesn’t mean Reinbacher’s been invisible-far from it. His positioning is generally solid, and his reads are usually on point.
But what’s missing right now is that next gear: the assertiveness, the ability to dictate play, the presence you want from a top prospect every night. He’s not making glaring mistakes, but he’s also not consistently moving the needle.
The Weight of Expectations
Being a top-five pick comes with baggage-fair or not. Reinbacher entered the Canadiens’ system with the reputation of a “safe” pick: NHL size, mature habits, and a high floor. Two and a half years later, the questions are starting to get louder.
He’s now the only player taken in the top ten of the 2023 draft who hasn’t played an NHL game. That stat alone has fans wondering if the Canadiens missed on a pick that was supposed to be closer to NHL-ready than most. Injuries have played a role in slowing his timeline, but even with that context, the leap hasn’t come as quickly as many hoped.
And yet, this is where it’s important to zoom out. Defensemen often take longer.
Reinbacher’s game isn’t built on flash-it’s built on structure, timing, and anticipation. Those tools don’t always translate right away, especially in a league like the AHL where one bad read can end up in the back of your net.
Another Year in Laval? It Might Be Exactly What He Needs
Looking ahead to next season, another full year in Laval might not just be likely-it might be the best thing for his development. The Canadiens’ NHL blue line is crowded with talent and depth: Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, and others are already locked into roles. Jayden Struble, Alexandre Carrier, and Arber Xhekaj are battling for minutes, and Engström is knocking loudly on the door.
There’s no obvious spot for Reinbacher right now, and rushing him just to check a box could do more harm than good. A second full AHL season would give him the chance to take on tougher assignments, kill penalties, and-most importantly-become the defensive anchor Laval hoped he’d grow into this year.
Patience Over Panic
Reinbacher’s development arc hasn’t been a straight shot to the NHL, but that doesn’t mean it’s off track. The Canadiens need to play the long game here. If he evolves into the steady, right-shot defenseman they projected-a player who brings calm and structure to the back end-then the timeline won’t matter nearly as much as the end result.
Right now, Reinbacher’s season should be viewed through the lens of progress, not panic. He’s not dominating, but he’s learning.
He’s not NHL-ready, but he’s building the foundation. And that, more than anything, is what this year was always supposed to be about.