David Reinbacher wasn’t the popular choice last night. Many fans are disappointed.
But in my eyes, the #Canadian did what he had to do. @DLCoulisses https://t.co/S3jbCTgi7X
– Charles-Alexis Brisebois (@Charles__Alexis) June 29, 2023
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No, the CH didn’t fill a forward position last night at the draft. Instead, they snapped up young David Reinbacher, a defenseman the club sorely needed.
I’m not going to throw the first stone at the CH – quite the contrary.
Without the possibility of drafting a forward or goaltender at #31 and #37, Reinbacher is the club’s big catch. He’s the one who’ll be the focus of all the analysis going forward.
And he’s the one who’ll be under pressure to make the forwards selected after him, including Matvei Michkov, forget about him.
While that’s a lot of pressure, the fact remains that people who know him well don’t seem to have any trouble believing that he can indeed become the defenseman the CH is hoping for.
In a way, he’s the one who’ll have to compensate for the reinforcement up front.
But he’s capable of taking on a lot. After all, as we can see from a piece written by TVA Sports’ Nicolas Cloutier, the offensive potential is there.
Quebecer Éric Faille, his team-mate in Switzerland, praises him in this regard. He believes the CH has not missed a beat.
He’s the one who piloted our numerical advantage at 18. Against men, in one of the best leagues in Europe.
His offensive potential is there. He’s got flair. – Éric Faille
I just got off the phone with Quebecer Éric Faille, who has been playing with Reinbacher in Kloten, Switzerland, for the past two years.
“I hope the world in Montreal will calm down a bit. […] In my book, the CH didn’t make a mistake. ” https://t.co/fvtAlVmpgo
– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) June 29, 2023
If there’s one other aspect that often resorts to his candidacy, it’s the fact that his growth as a field hockey player is really good. After all, he was seen as a much lesser player a year ago.
He’s on an upward slope because he takes adversity well. He’s shy and in his place, which can be good in Montreal for not exposing himself too much… but he’s also confident.
Jeff Tomlinson, David Reinbacher’s coach with HC Kloten
“He’s always overcome challenges, in every situation. He’s always met or exceeded expectations. He’s never disappointed me in his reactions to adversity.”@RDSca
– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) June 29, 2023
More and more, he’s becoming a pro in his approach on the ice, in life and in the gym, for example. Another year in Switzerland (presumably) will help him even more.
And then it’s off to Quebec, I imagine.
In bursts
– Speak of the devil.
Paul Boutilier is a defenseman development specialist. He was David Reinbacher’s mentor for the past 2 seasons, and he’s all praise when he talks about the Canadiens’ first pick. https://t.co/6zuK7uEaEk
– Martin Leclerc (@MLeclerc_Hockey) June 29, 2023
– Do you agree?
And honorable mentions to COL who, with two late picks, walks away with Calum Ritchie and Mikhail Gulyayev!
And to CHI, who manages to add Oliver Moore to its prospect pool in addition to Connor Bedard.
And finally, DET adds Nate Danielson and Axel Sandin Pellikka!
– Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) June 29, 2023
– Reminder: no second choice for the CH this year…. for now.
So. Do the Canadiens trade back into the second round? The killer for them during the Bergevin days was that they traded a lot of second round picks, and ended up with a real thin prospect pool. History repeating itself here?
– Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) June 29, 2023
– Nice achievement.
On both a personal and professional level, this is an important moment for German. https://t.co/aZo7S5GCiM
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) June 29, 2023
– Alex Newhook was loved in Denver.
MacFarland on how hard it was to move on from Alex Newhook: “We won last year, and Alex was a big part of that. That’s always the tough part of the business. We’ll definitely miss him and are thankful for what he did for us. He’s a good field hockey player and a really good person.”
– Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) June 29, 2023
