Lariviere: David Reinbacher Perfect Partner For Lane Hutson

Could Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher become the perfect partner for their superstar defenseman Lane Hutson?

Ever since the Canadiens drafted Reinbacher fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, they’ve viewed him as the perfect partner to complement Lane Hutson. On Monday night, Reinbacher finally got a chance to play alongside the superstar and fit right in as the defensively responsible anchor to Hutson’s offensive flair.

Hutson, much like other superstar offensive defensemen in the NHL, needs a partner that can play a very responsible game without taking too many risks with the puck to counter the high-flyer game that he plays. As of now, Reinbacher has done a great job being a big defensive presence who minimizes the risks by making simple and smart decisions. The 21-year-old came into camp with the mindset that he could win a roster spot in the NHL, and he is grabbing that opportunity by the horns. 

Looking back at Friday, when Reinbacher told the media that he will let his play do the talking, he certainly backed it up with strong play. His first game against the Toronto Maple Leafs was strong, but he took his game to another level when playing with Hutson on Monday night. 

The Austrian showed that his role was to be a defenseman who minimizes mistakes by making smart decisions in his own zone. He also showed that he is incredibly strong, as he has outmuscled established NHLers regularly along the boards in the preseason. Reinbacher may not get noticed for making big offensive plays, like Hutson, but his steady play can help his partner make more dynamic plays, as he will be there to back him up if needed. There will be rookie mistakes by Reinbacher, but overall he shows that he can be poised or repair his errors rather quickly through two preseason games.

Early in training camp, the question was whether or not Reinbacher was ready for an NHL role. It’s now a question about whether he’s ready to take on the role as Hutson’s defensive partner for the long-term future.

Following Monday’s game, when asked about getting to play with Hutson, Reinbacher explained that he always saw himself in a role similar to what he played that night.  

“I always envisioned myself in this role. Lane and I are good friends off the ice. We spend a lot of time together, so it’s great to have this opportunity,” Reinbacher told reporters. 

“I’m really looking forward to playing with him and helping him in any way I can. I want to win battles and give him the puck,” he continued. 

Hutson doesn’t want to put too many expectations on his current defensive partner, as he wants to make sure Reinbacher just plays his game when being asked if he sees Reinbacher as his long-term partner. 

“Yeah, I told him, ‘No expectations, just be yourself, go and play.’ He did, and he’s fun to watch,” said Hutson to the media.

David Reinbacher may not be the flashy pick that is often expected from a top-five draft pick; however, Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes was looking into the future and looking for pieces to win as a team. During that draft, he mentioned in the past that the goal of taking Reinbacher was to find someone who could potentially fit as a reliable shutdown defenseman next to Hutson. It didn’t take long for the Canadiens to look smart, as the duo looked dominant together during the 2023 Development Camp. Unfortunately, injuries hindered Reinbacher’s development for a couple of seasons.

Fast forward to today, and it seems like the 2023 fifth overall pick is finally going to become a full-time NHLer. Meanwhile, Hutson has become one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL, coming off a season where he tied the franchise record for most assists by a defenseman with 66. 

While Lane Hutson will be chasing assist records with the Canadiens for years to come, there will certainly be times when he makes a mistake, which is where the 6-foot-3 and 207-pound Reinbacher comes in. Reinbacher, who is a very good fluid skater in his own right, has the ability to cut off forwards and outmuscle them to take away any danger. The Austrian also has a very good active stick and can easily intercept passes across the ice. 

When it comes to Reinbacher and Hutson, it is a clear case of opposites attract that makes them a solid pairing. While both are great skaters, Hutson’s high-risk, high-reward game is much different than the steady style of play that Reinbacher can bring on a nightly basis. This allows both players to focus on their strengths and know that where they lack on the ice, the other can make up for it. At the end of the day, if Reinbacher can stay healthy, this could be a top pairing in the NHL for the next decade.