David Reinbacher had a rather unusual 2024-25 season. The defenseman, who suffered a serious knee injury in training camp, had to miss several months of activity… but in the end, he returned to action this season.
That said, his return to the game was also a little complicated. His knee continued to bother him, and he had to follow a fairly strict return-to-play protocol. It cost him some games, but he’s still 21 games into 2025 (season + playoffs).
For a guy whose season seemed lost, that’s already a lesser evil… especially since he’s solid when he’s on the ice.
On the eve of a summer where the Canadiens could try some big moves, the idea of trading Reinbacher is far less popular than trading Logan Mailloux, for example… but on the most recent episode of The Shaun Starr Show, Marco D’Amico shared an interesting tidbit:
Teams are keeping a close eye on Reinbacher, just in case he should become available in a trade. – Marco D’Amico
D’Amico explains that when Reinbacher jumps on the ice, there are scouts present at Rocket games who take quite a few notes. What’s clear, then, is that there are definitely teams interested in the young defenseman.
After all, such a promising young right-handed defenseman is bound to interest teams.
But even if there is interest, it seems unlikely that Reinbacher will leave during the summer. After all, the kid ‘s value has taken a beating recently due to his health problems… and maybe that’s why teams are taking notes in droves: maybe there’s a window across the league to try and lure him away from the Habs without him costing too much, should the club be worried.
Could this happen? I suppose… but I like the odds much better in the scenario where Reinbacher is with the big club next year.
Will David Reinbacher be ready for a full-time NHL role next season?@StuCowan1: “I’d be shocked if he’s not part of the team to start next season “#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast @MatthewOhayon pic.twitter.com/8aZSeaOMrM
– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) May 31, 2025
It makes you wonder if, in the event the Canadiens want to try and improve in the immediate future, other teams will want to start the conversation with Reinbacher, who represents a rare commodity in the NHL being a young right-handed defenseman with a ton of potential.
But without saying he’s untouchable, I’d be very surprised to see him leave this summer. It would take quite an offer to get him out of Montreal, but clearly, there’s no shortage of interested teams.
– Phew.
Pascal Vincent confirms that Laurent Dauphin and William Trudeau did not make the trip with the team to Charlotte and are “not available at all” due to injuries.
The Rocket, trailing 0-2 in the series, will play the next 3 games at the home of the… pic.twitter.com/wGaoRhCwU9
– RDS (@RDSca) May 31, 2025
– It’s still the talk of the town.
The two men still haven’t spoken since the Stars’ elimination … https://t.co/jyru3SZWsa
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 31, 2025
– Fair enough.
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