Canadiens top defense prospect David Reinbacher will miss most of the 2024-25 season after undergoing surgery on his left knee Tuesday morning, the team announced. He’s expected to return to play in five to six months.
It’s likely worse news than Habs fans expected after Reinbacher sustained the injury during the first period of Saturday’s preseason loss to the Maple Leafs. After he was on the receiving end of a hit from Toronto defenseman Marshall Rifai, he fell awkwardly into the boards between the benches, landing awkwardly on his left leg. He was able to get off the ice under his own power but was in visible pain.
Montreal didn’t disclose the specifics of Reinbacher’s knee injury. They’re also waiting on official news regarding a return-to-play timeline for top-six winger Patrik Laine, who also sustained an injury later in the first against the Leafs after a knee-on-knee hit from Toronto depth forward Cédric Paré. He’s also likely looking at a long-term absence.
Reinbacher, 20 later this month, was the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft. He spent his 2023-24 season on loan to Switzerland’s EHC Kloten, where his all-around numbers took a step back from his draft year. He managed a goal and 10 assists with a -15 rating in 35 games after posting 22 points and a +7 rating in 46 games for Kloten in 2022-23. He ended the season with a strong stretch of play with AHL Laval, though, logging five points and a +6 rating in 11 appearances.
He would have been looking to make his NHL debut in 2024-25, potentially on opening night, if he could have finished training camp on a high note. His season debut will now have to wait until at least early March, however, and it’s likely that he’ll spend his brief playing time this year back in Laval while getting back up to speed in his development. The Habs will be out one of their most intriguing prospects for most of the campaign, but it does mean less competition for playing time for other young defenders like Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, and Jayden Struble.
Since Reinbacher didn’t log any days on the NHL roster last season, he’ll carry a $0 cap hit while on season-opening injured reserve. However, he’ll still collect his prorated $855K base salary as scheduled.
They really need to shorten the preseason
It wasn’t an intention, but Buffalo may have provided a model for how a shortened preseason may work well. With their trip to Germany followed by the season opener on Friday, the Sabres had to accelerate the camp. They played the first 2 games with their A-team and didn’t bother the usual mix-and-match lineup changes. I think this forced the team to jump directly into “let’s go!” mode.
Meanwhile, the B-team, a.k.a., the Rochester Amerks, got an extended camp playing actual NHL players. A good thing for the youths.
In the end, I think this supports your plea to shorten the preseason. It not only will reduce the number of injuries during (ultimately) meaningless games. But, it might result in better performance once the season starts.
He got hurt because this was a preseason game?
No.. He got hurt because he was playing in a LATE preseason game. That would be avoided if the NHL shortened the preseason.
Let’s not overlook the fact that the preseason has many more “fringe” players pulling out all the stops to impress their coaches. That combination of less experience with more reckless play is a dangerous mix.
I’m not arguing that the players are doing anything wrong, per se. I’m saying that a too-long preseason can lead to bad – and avoidable – consequences.
They should extend the camps and shorten the preseason, but that will never happen– $$$. There are butts in those seats and that’s beer in those cups.