A new revelation about David Reinbacher’s future with the Canadiens has reignited a debate many in Montreal thought was settled. While a portion of the fanbase has already checked out on the young defenseman, a Western scout remains firm: Reinbacher still projects as a legitimate number‑two NHL defenseman, potentially alongside Lane Hutson.
The comment has stirred up conversation across social media and sports radio. For the scout, the path is simple: the priority is piling up games, not chasing a call‑up. Another season disrupted by injuries, he warns, could shift the narrative quickly.
At 21 years old, standing 6’3’’ and weighing 207 pounds, Reinbacher maintains a rare profile among defensive prospects. In the 2025‑2026 season with the Laval Rocket, he has 10 points in 18 games, a plus‑5 rating, and 8 penalty minutes, improving on the 5 points in 10 games he posted last year.
“He wasn’t drafted fifth overall for nothing. I still see him as a number‑two defenseman in the NHL. For now, I’m sticking with my projection,” the scout said. But he also emphasized that this year is decisive. Losing another development year would be a real concern.
Coach Pascal Vincent shares the belief in Reinbacher’s upside. He recalled reviewing clips with him before the draft to show how little space he gave opponents and how quickly he processed information. “I was watching his puck decisions, his physical play, and I understood exactly why the Canadiens drafted him fifth. They made quite a choice. That’s a hockey player,” Vincent said.
Still, progress hasn’t been smooth. A hand injury in late September sidelined him for nearly four weeks, another setback in an already interrupted development curve. Vincent insists that adapting to a new league and system takes time, and the only real solution is simple: play often, period.
The 2023 draft debate isn’t going away, especially with Matvei Michkov in the picture. But Reinbacher still has the ceiling to become a number‑two defenseman. If he stacks games in Laval, the Canadiens’ decision will become much easier.