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Grant McCagg would see David Reinbacher with the Canadiens in the playoffs as early as 2025
Kevin Vallée
Grant McCagg would see David Reinbacher with the Canadiens in the playoffs as early as 2025
Credit: Getty Images
David Reinbacher has only played eight games with the Laval Rocket since his return from injury, and already doubts about the impact of his absence on his development are dissipating.

Among the optimists is Grant McCagg. The commentator for Recrutes Draftcast (The Sick Podcast) spoke about the young defenseman, who he has been watching in Laval, as someone who wouldn’t look out of place with the Canadiens in the playoffs this year. “He’s ready,” McCagg said.

“I want to see a long run by the Rocket, but they can win without him, they’ve done it all year. […] I think he could help the Canadiens right now, he’s finding it easy in the American League.”

— Grant McCagg

McCagg sees Reinbacher being called up by the end of the season, if a playoff spot becomes more certain, recalling that a spring team needs that kind of depth.

It’s perhaps important to note that over the last two seasons, David Reinbacher has played a total of 54 games, including 35 in Switzerland and 11 in Laval last year. While his 9 points in 19 games with the Rocket are impressive for a 20-year-old defensive defenseman, one might wonder if what he needs right now is some stability and a concrete opportunity to contribute to a winning team.

The experience of a successful Rocket playoff run could be huge for the young man who is considered a key piece of the Canadiens’ future blue line. However, there’s a “step” between the American League and the National League, and it would be risky to call him up now and risk breaking something that’s working well as of today.

In summary, it’s perhaps true that Reinbacher would already look good in the NHL. After all, his playing style seems tailored for the tight playoff hockey. We’re surely many who have thought, during the 4 Nations Tournament, that it would be wonderful to see him become a third of what Jaccob Slavin is. That being said, would it be precipitous to bring him to Montreal in this context?

The Austrian will have the chance to stand out at camp next fall and start from scratch, like everyone else, to earn a spot with the big club.

Because beyond his defensive skills, Reinbacher is showing in Laval what Grant McCagg considers the most underrated part of his game. “He’s going to score a lot of goals in the NHL. He has a bomb,” he said, watching sequences of the young player.

However, the reflection we’re having right now is in itself good news, regardless of the conclusion. Let’s just say that we’re not having the same discussion about Logan Mailloux right now, despite his offensive prowess.


Overtime

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— A great collection of highlights from Michael Misa.

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