Latest news with #DavidReinbacher
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canadiens Intriguing Prospect Can't Be Slept On
It is no secret that the Montreal Canadiens have one of the strongest prospect pools in the NHL right now. They have plenty of exciting prospects in their system, like Ivan Demidov, Jacob Fowler, David Reinbacher, and Michael Hage.
New York Times
27-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The Canadiens have long coveted a player like Noah Dobson. Now they have the real thing
MONTREAL — After the completion of the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, a member of the Montreal Canadiens scouting staff was asked if their shiny new No. 5 pick, David Reinbacher, reminded him of Detroit Red Wings stud defenceman Moritz Seider, who had similarly emerged late in his draft cycle to become the No. 6 pick out of an unconventional hockey country. Advertisement The response came in the negative. Instead, Reinbacher reminded him of Noah Dobson. 'Try making a trade for Noah Dobson today,' he said in justifying the Reinbacher pick. 'You can't trade for players like that.' That conversation took place on June 29, 2023. Two days shy of exactly two years later, the Canadiens traded for Noah Dobson, giving up picks No. 16 and 17 in Friday night's 2025 NHL Draft and young winger Emil Heineman to the New York Islanders in return. And they still have Reinbacher, along with the actual Dobson, who is now signed for eight years at $9.5 million a year as the NHL enters an era of salary cap growth where having a top-pair, offensive right-shot defenceman at less than $10 million a year will quickly be seen as a bargain. Montreal acquires Noah Dobson, a strong top pair defenseman who should solidify the team's top four for years to come as an offensive pillar behind Lane Hutson. — dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) June 27, 2025 The Canadiens entered this offseason wanting to use their surplus of draft picks, young players and, perhaps, even young defencemen to upgrade the team. They accomplished that Friday without needing to trade any of their young defencemen, most notably Reinbacher or Logan Mailoux — two young, right-shot defencemen with size and NHL projectability. That means the Canadiens might not be done yet. But they are already much better than they were Friday morning. Dobson had a down year in 2024-25, much like the Islanders as a whole, with 39 points in 71 games, down from 70 points in 79 games the season before. His minus-16 rating last season – second-worst on the Islanders after Kyle Palmieri's minus-17 – is not a good look, but in terms of flow of play and generating chances, the Islanders were a better team with Dobson on the ice than when he was on the bench. Dobson was also on the ice for 15 empty-net goals against and only four goals for with the Islanders' net empty. Advertisement The eight-year contract opens up a world of possibilities for the Canadiens, but also makes it evident the top four on the blue line for the foreseeable future will, at some point, consist of some combination of lefties Lane Hutson (21 years old) and Kaiden Guhle (23) and righties Dobson (25) and Reinbacher (20). Dobson also slides right into the age group of the rest of the Canadiens' young core with captain Nick Suzuki (25), Cole Caufield (24), Juraj Slafkovský (21) and 2024 No. 5 pick Ivan Demidov (19). Now, it is unclear how the Canadiens will ever fit a large group of promising young defencemen into the NHL lineup. That group includes players such as Mailloux, Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble and Adam Engström. All of them belong in the NHL, but it's hard to see all of them playing in Montreal, especially with incumbent veterans Mike Matheson and Alexandre Carrier still around. The Canadiens still don't have a proper second line, whether that's at centre or on the wing, to play with Demidov. They still have some other holes at forward if both Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia are lost to free agency. There is still work to do, and the Canadiens have some ammunition to do it. But even if the Canadiens did nothing else this offseason, next year's version should be better than this year's version because they added Dobson. 'Listen, when you go into a summer in a situation where our team's at, we would obviously like to improve our team, and I think we've been pretty vocal about that,' Canadiens executive vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton said Thursday afternoon with a straight face. 'I think what's just as important is not to make a mistake. We have a team that we think is coming together, we think highly of where we're going, we think we're moving in the right direction. Advertisement 'We do want to improve the team, but I would say to you that making a mistake and bringing in something that doesn't fit our timelines or a player that doesn't fit in our room would be just as bad as if we went the other way.' Dobson will need to hold up his end of the bargain, but it seems safe to assume the Canadiens did not make a mistake Friday. They got better.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL trade rumor: NHL trade twist as Canadiens and Blues reportedly engage Islanders over $12,000,000 defenseman per insider leak
NHL-St. Louis Blues teammates (Credit by: Getty Images) The NHL trade rumor mill is gaining momentum, and the latest spark comes from reports involving the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues. Both franchises are reportedly 'engaged' in discussions with the New York Islanders regarding one of the league's most expensive blueliners. According to a multiple league insiders have pointed to serious activity surrounding the Islanders' defenseman, whose annual cap hit sits at a staggering $12,000,000. Insider drops BOMBSHELL St. Louis Blues Trade report... Montreal Canadiens seek blue line reinforcement For the Montreal Canadiens, the pursuit of a high-end defenseman aligns with their long-term rebuild goals. Despite a young and promising core featuring Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher, Montreal lacks a veteran two-way presence on the back end. Acquiring a proven top-pairing defenseman could help the Canadiens accelerate their return to contention. It's worth noting that adding a $12,000,000 contract won't be an easy fit. Montreal must manage its young talent pipeline while also considering future extensions. But if the front office views this move as a bridge to stabilizing the roster, it may be willing to take that leap. St. Louis Blues aim to reshape their blue line On the other side, the St. Louis Blues appear equally serious about landing the Islanders' defenseman. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Livguard Lithium-X: The Future of Power Backup Livguard Learn More Undo After missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the team is desperate to revamp its defense corps. With Colton Parayko and Torey Krug both facing criticism for inconsistent play, Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong might be ready to make a headline-making acquisition. Adding an elite, physical, puck-moving defender could reestablish the identity the Blues had during their 2019 Stanley Cup run. It's a risk, but one that fits the franchise's competitive timeline if Armstrong believes in the core. Islanders face a critical offseason decision ahead The New York Islanders now find themselves at a crossroads. After back-to-back first-round exits and a core that has largely plateaued, General Manager Lou Lamoriello may be feeling pressure to reset. If a deal involving their $12 million defenseman materializes, it could signal a shift from win-now mode to a longer-term retool. Both the Canadiens and the Blues appear serious. The coming days will reveal whether this rumor evolves into one of the biggest trades of the 2025 NHL offseason. Also Read: NHL trade rumor: Mitch Marner and his wife Stephanie Marner reportedly spotted house-hunting in Las Vegas, sparking the latest buzz Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Ottawa Citizen
06-06-2025
- 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
06-06-2025
- 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.
