Amazing news: Martin St. Louis shocked the team despite suffering a fatal injury.
David Reinbacher signed his first contract with the Montreal Canadiens one week after being selected as the first defenseman overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
The club revealed on Wednesday morning that 18-year-old Reinbacher had agreed to an entry-level three-year contract. There is a $950,000 cap hit on the contract.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound defenseman is thought to have the kind of well-rounded game that could make him an NHL star who can play minutes at a time. The prospect analyst for Daily Faceoff, Steven Ellis, likens Reinbacher’s style of play to that of Moritz Seider. Reinbacher finished the previous season with three goals and 22 points in 46 games while competing in the Swiss League. After starting 2022–23 not even in the first round conversation, Reinbacher quickly increased his draft stock by playing top-line minutes against seasoned pros in one of the best leagues in the world. He is the highest-drafted Austrian defenseman in NHL history, tied with Thomas Vanek for the highest draft position at number five overall.
Reinbacher attended the Habs’ development camp from July 1–4, and he now becomes a member of the team’s growing blueline prospect pipeline. Though maligned 2021 first-round pick Logan Mailloux is coming off a breakout offensive season in the OHL with the London Knights, players like Kaiden Guhle and Justin Barron have made it to the NHL. After his incredible rookie season on ‘D,’ where he scored 48 points in 39 games, there isn’t much more to say about the dynamic Lane Hutson. The Habs are banking on Reinbacher to develop into their go-to all-around stud in every circumstance, even though Mailloux and Hutson have significant offensive upside.
In September, Reinbacher will return for training camp and rookie camp. He has expressed interest in playing at home for another season, but the AHL is one possibility for where he plays in 2023–2024.
