Canadiens: David Reinbacher is Shooting For an Opening Day Roster Spot

Canadiens: David Reinbacher is Shooting For an Opening Day Roster Spot

There will be an absolute dog fight on the Habs' blueline come training camp with numerous prospects gunning for the roughly three roster spots up for grabs. David Reinbacher has thrown his hat in the ring of candidates.

In a recent interview with TVASports.ca, Reinbacher explained that he is aiming to make the opening night roster, saying “That’s been my mentality, I trained for that all Summer.” While he knows he is competing against defenders all poised for NHL action, he is embracing the contest, adding that, “There will be a fight with the other guys that will be healthy and will push us to another level.”

Reinbacher is up against Jayden Struble, Logan Mailloux, Adam Engstrom, Lane Hutson as possible contenders who have spent the majority of their time in the AHL—or other talented pro league—in previous years. That’s not to mention NHLers Jordan Harris, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj who either have the experience or have signed contracts this offseason that prove the front office is eager to give them high level playing time.

On top of this, injuries are a topic of conversation with the young Austrian. Reinbacher suffered a right knee injury after he was driven into the boards awkwardly in a game against HC Fribourg-Gottéron in October 2023. He required physiotherapy to get back in skating form.

The injury is not a concern for him, however, as he told his interviewer “I have no more problems with my knees…I also recovered from my hand injury. I’m really confident going into training camp.”

In 35 games with EHC Kloten last year, Reinbacher tallied 11 points. He then appeared in 11 games with the Laval rocket, producing two goals and five points. The stats may not jump out on paper, but the fact he will likely spend a good chunk of next season’s campaign in the AHL should further his development and put pressure on the Habs' front office to call him up.

The Summer training must have done wonders to more than just his confidence. Reinbacher spent time in Switzerland, exercising with Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, Pius Suter and Janis Moser. Aside from physiotherapy, the practices should have heightened the already fluid skating he displays on the ice. Even though competition is stiff defensively, this upcoming year will be a big step in his growth. 

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