Latest news with #DavidReinbacher
Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Cowan: Canadiens bank on healthy David Reinbacher to blossom into NHLer
At first, the hit didn't look like anything serious. Article content During a pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on Sept. 28, Canadiens defenceman David Reinbacher dumped the puck into the offensive zone after carrying it over the red line and was hit by Marshall Rifai, a Beaconsfield native. Reinbacher fell backward into the boards and injured his left knee badly enough to require surgery. Article content Article content Reinbacher, the No. 5 overall pick at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, didn't play again until late February with the AHL's Laval Rocket. Article content 'The guy came and I tried to protect myself,' Reinbacher said Thursday about the hit from Rifai when Rocket players met with the media for the last time this season after getting swept by the Charlotte Checkers in the Eastern Conference final. 'I kind of hooked in the boards with my heel and I fell down. I heard a click right away in my knee. I stood up and tried to finish the shift, but I couldn't put weight on (it). I jumped over the boards and I knew, OK, it's over.' Article content Life has not been easy for the 20-year-old Austrian since the Canadiens drafted him. Many Canadiens fans were upset the team didn't draft forward Matvei Michkov instead and expressed their anger on social media. Michkov posted 26-37-63 totals in 80 games this season as a rookie with the Philadelphia Flyers, who took him with the No. 7 overall pick at the 2023 draft. Article content Article content Reinbacher struggled during the 2023-24 season with Kloten HC in the Swiss National League, posting 1-10-11 totals in 35 games to go along with a minus-15 rating. He also missed time with knee and hand injuries. This season, Reinbacher was limited to 10 regular-season games with the Rocket, posting 2-3-5 totals and a plus-5. In 13 playoff games, he had 2-4-6 totals and a minus-2 rating. Article content While it's still too early to say the Canadiens made a mistake drafting Reinbacher — who brings added value as a right-hand shot on the blue line — things aren't looking good at this point. Reinbacher, 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, said his knee is 90-95 per cent healed. Article content Article content 'There's a little swelling still in there, which is bothering me a bit,' he said. 'But I think that's part of the process. It wasn't an easy surgery. … With some rest now and with the doctors and physios and everything, from now on I think we can set up a good plan and get the swelling back (down) and just have a normal knee again.'
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Cowan: Canadiens bank on healthy David Reinbacher to blossom into NHLer
At first, the hit didn't look like anything serious. During a pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on Sept. 28, Canadiens defenceman David Reinbacher dumped the puck into the offensive zone after carrying it over the red line and was hit by Marshall Rifai , a Beaconsfield native. Reinbacher fell backward into the boards and injured his left knee badly enough to require surgery. Reinbacher, the No. 5 overall pick at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, didn't play again until late February with the AHL's Laval Rocket. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'The guy came and I tried to protect myself,' Reinbacher said Thursday about the hit from Rifai when Rocket players met with the media for the last time this season after getting swept by the Charlotte Checkers in the Eastern Conference final. 'I kind of hooked in the boards with my heel and I fell down. I heard a click right away in my knee. I stood up and tried to finish the shift, but I couldn't put weight on (it). I jumped over the boards and I knew, OK, it's over.' Life has not been easy for the 20-year-old Austrian since the Canadiens drafted him. Many Canadiens fans were upset the team didn't draft forward Matvei Michkov instead and expressed their anger on social media. Michkov posted 26-37-63 totals in 80 games this season as a rookie with the Philadelphia Flyers, who took him with the No. 7 overall pick at the 2023 draft. Reinbacher struggled during the 2023-24 season with Kloten HC in the Swiss National League, posting 1-10-11 totals in 35 games to go along with a minus-15 rating. He also missed time with knee and hand injuries. This season, Reinbacher was limited to 10 regular-season games with the Rocket, posting 2-3-5 totals and a plus-5. In 13 playoff games, he had 2-4-6 totals and a minus-2 rating. While it's still too early to say the Canadiens made a mistake drafting Reinbacher — who brings added value as a right-hand shot on the blue line — things aren't looking good at this point. Reinbacher, 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, said his knee is 90-95 per cent healed. 'There's a little swelling still in there, which is bothering me a bit,' he said. 'But I think that's part of the process. It wasn't an easy surgery. … With some rest now and with the doctors and physios and everything, from now on I think we can set up a good plan and get the swelling back (down) and just have a normal knee again.' On Thursday, I asked Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent how close Reinbacher is to making the next step to the NHL. Vincent said it was a 'very dangerous' question to try to answer, adding he had many conversations about young players taking that next step with Paul Maurice when he was head coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Vincent was one of his assistants. Maurice is looking to win his second straight Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. 'It's so unpredictable,' Vincent said. 'Some guys will show up next year at (training) camp and we're going to be looking at them and be very impressed. And some guys, we're going to say: 'Well, it's not going as fast as we thought it was going.' So I don't know how to answer that question. What I know is (Reinbacher's) a young man with a great mindset and a great computer that reads the game really well. His hockey sense is really good. His feet, the mechanics of his feet, the way he skates is really good. Agility for a big guy like him still getting used to his body, really good. Coachable, great teammate. 'A little bit more grit than I expected on the ice … or facing a team that forechecks hard,' Vincent added. 'I didn't see him refusing hits to make plays … that's a big indicator for me, for a defenceman, anyways. Physically, he's still a very young man and he needs to grow into a bigger person and a stronger, faster body so we can see how good his brain is once he's strong.' What has impressed me most about Reinbacher since the Canadiens drafted him is his maturity, which has helped him get through the last two years. 'It was two good years to learn, grow as a human, grow as a player,' he said. 'Experience some hard days, experience some better days. I think that's what it's all about as a young human. You just want to grow and get to know all those areas — if they're darker or a little bit brighter. You never know what's tomorrow, right? 'So I learned a lot and I'm really looking forward to the summer now and for the camp,' he added. 'I want to put in everything I can and just come back as the player I am and be even better than I was at the draft and being better every day. Just showing that I can play and show myself from the best side and try to get into the lineup and grab a spot up there.' And hopefully stay healthy.
Ottawa Citizen
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Habs Mailbag: Second-line centre at top of Canadiens' wish list
Article content Longtime Habs fan here in St. John's, N.L. Wondering after seeing the beginning of the playoffs — and how the Habs played down the stretch — what do you see the front office focusing on adding during the off-season? A second-line centre seems like an easy answer. Do you think they may look at adding a second-pairing, tough D-man? Or do you see them using what they have and bringing along David Reinbacher or Logan Mailloux? Article content Leon Cantwell Article content A second-line centre is indeed the easy answer. I also think the Canadiens will be looking to add some more size at the forward position. They already have plenty of defencemen and with the retirement of David Savard after this season both Reinbacher and Mailloux — who can be very physical — will be looking to earn a spot at training camp next season. Of course, there's also the possibility of one of the young defencemen being included in a trade to acquire a second-line centre. Article content Article content Article content I would be surprised if the Canadiens keep both of their first-round picks since they already have plenty of young prospects in their system. Trading both first-round picks to get a high-quality centre also wouldn't surprise me. Gorton and Hughes know what they have already and they also know what they need — and a high-quality centre is at the top of the list. There's also the possibility of acquiring that much-needed centre through free agency if the Canadiens don't make a trade before the draft. Article content I saw a YouTube video by RDS that followed Ivan Demidov on the ice during his entire first NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks. I noticed Ivan likes to move his visor above his eyes. He constantly does that like a bad habit. Do any other players do the same? Isn't this a bit risky for our future superstar? Hate to see a Noah Juulsen eye injury happen to him. Being a diehard fan, I'd like to request slash guards and neck guards and maybe even a bodyguard for him. Article content Article content Mick Chow Article content There are other players who do the same thing with their visors and former Canadien Sean Monahan — now with the Columbus Blue Jackets — is the first one who comes to mind. Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is another. It is very risky and I find it surprising when a young player like Demidov pushes his visor up since he has never played without facial protection and you'd think he'd be used to it. I'm also surprised how many young players on the Canadiens don't wear mouthguards. We used to see more players pushing their visors up when the NHL first made it mandatory for players to wear them, starting in the 2013-14 season. But by now you'd think all players would be used to playing with a visor. Article content
Vancouver Sun
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Habs Mailbag: Second-line centre at top of Canadiens' wish list
Article content Longtime Habs fan here in St. John's, N.L. Wondering after seeing the beginning of the playoffs — and how the Habs played down the stretch — what do you see the front office focusing on adding during the off-season? A second-line centre seems like an easy answer. Do you think they may look at adding a second-pairing, tough D-man? Or do you see them using what they have and bringing along David Reinbacher or Logan Mailloux? Article content Leon Cantwell Article content A second-line centre is indeed the easy answer. I also think the Canadiens will be looking to add some more size at the forward position. They already have plenty of defencemen and with the retirement of David Savard after this season both Reinbacher and Mailloux — who can be very physical — will be looking to earn a spot at training camp next season. Of course, there's also the possibility of one of the young defencemen being included in a trade to acquire a second-line centre. Article content Article content Article content I would be surprised if the Canadiens keep both of their first-round picks since they already have plenty of young prospects in their system. Trading both first-round picks to get a high-quality centre also wouldn't surprise me. Gorton and Hughes know what they have already and they also know what they need — and a high-quality centre is at the top of the list. There's also the possibility of acquiring that much-needed centre through free agency if the Canadiens don't make a trade before the draft. Article content I saw a YouTube video by RDS that followed Ivan Demidov on the ice during his entire first NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks. I noticed Ivan likes to move his visor above his eyes. He constantly does that like a bad habit. Do any other players do the same? Isn't this a bit risky for our future superstar? Hate to see a Noah Juulsen eye injury happen to him. Being a diehard fan, I'd like to request slash guards and neck guards and maybe even a bodyguard for him. Article content Article content Mick Chow Article content There are other players who do the same thing with their visors and former Canadien Sean Monahan — now with the Columbus Blue Jackets — is the first one who comes to mind. Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is another. It is very risky and I find it surprising when a young player like Demidov pushes his visor up since he has never played without facial protection and you'd think he'd be used to it. I'm also surprised how many young players on the Canadiens don't wear mouthguards. We used to see more players pushing their visors up when the NHL first made it mandatory for players to wear them, starting in the 2013-14 season. But by now you'd think all players would be used to playing with a visor.
Montreal Gazette
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Habs Mailbag: Second-line centre at top of Canadiens' wish list
Montreal Canadiens By Longtime Habs fan here in St. John's, N.L. Wondering after seeing the beginning of the playoffs — and how the Habs played down the stretch — what do you see the front office focusing on adding during the off-season? A second-line centre seems like an easy answer. Do you think they may look at adding a second-pairing, tough D-man? Or do you see them using what they have and bringing along David Reinbacher or Logan Mailloux? Leon Cantwell A second-line centre is indeed the easy answer. I also think the Canadiens will be looking to add some more size at the forward position. They already have plenty of defencemen and with the retirement of David Savard after this season both Reinbacher and Mailloux — who can be very physical — will be looking to earn a spot at training camp next season. Of course, there's also the possibility of one of the young defencemen being included in a trade to acquire a second-line centre. Do you think Jeff Gorton/Kent Hughes will trade one or both of their first-round draft choices for a high-quality centreman? Benoit Pigeon I would be surprised if the Canadiens keep both of their first-round picks since they already have plenty of young prospects in their system. Trading both first-round picks to get a high-quality centre also wouldn't surprise me. Gorton and Hughes know what they have already and they also know what they need — and a high-quality centre is at the top of the list. There's also the possibility of acquiring that much-needed centre through free agency if the Canadiens don't make a trade before the draft. I saw a YouTube video by RDS that followed Ivan Demidov on the ice during his entire first NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks. I noticed Ivan likes to move his visor above his eyes. He constantly does that like a bad habit. Do any other players do the same? Isn't this a bit risky for our future superstar? Hate to see a Noah Juulsen eye injury happen to him. Being a diehard fan, I'd like to request slash guards and neck guards and maybe even a bodyguard for him. Mick Chow There are other players who do the same thing with their visors and former Canadien Sean Monahan — now with the Columbus Blue Jackets — is the first one who comes to mind. Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is another. It is very risky and I find it surprising when a young player like Demidov pushes his visor up since he has never played without facial protection and you'd think he'd be used to it. I'm also surprised how many young players on the Canadiens don't wear mouthguards. We used to see more players pushing their visors up when the NHL first made it mandatory for players to wear them, starting in the 2013-14 season. But by now you'd think all players would be used to playing with a visor. With so many defencemen next year, any thought moving Arber Xhekaj to the fourth line? He can skate, shoot and keep five opponents on their toes. Joe Bergeron I'd be surprised to see that happen with Xhekaj. He was used as a fourth-line forward during his first year of junior with the Kitchener Rangers, but flourished after being moved to defence. I think his younger brother, Florian, is a better candidate to become a fourth-line forward with the Canadiens after posting 24-11-35 totals and 175 penalty minutes in 69 games this season as an AHL rookie with the Laval Rocket. Do you think the Habs will trade a goalie this summer with Jacob Fowler in pipeline? DinoD on Bluesky — @ I don't see Cayden Primeau sticking around with the Canadiens organization after this season. Primeau can become a restricted free agent on July 1 and I don't see the Canadiens making an attempt to keep him. A fresh start somewhere else would also be the best thing for the 25-year-old Primeau and the Canadiens will want Fowler to be the No. 1 goalie in Laval next season as he continues to develop. Primeau has had an outstanding season with the Rocket, posting a 21-2-2 record with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
