David Reinbacher derails the Canadiens’ plans

Right now, the Canadiens have defensive weaknesses.

Yes, in an ideal world, they would need offensive reinforcement in the top six, we agree. But I also agree with Anthony Martineau that strengthening the club's defensive corps (and penalty kill, while we're at it) could really help.

A right-handed defenseman who could stabilize the defense would help.

It's certainly not a sexy opinion, but the last area where the habs need reinforcement right now is on offense.

For this year, I'd like to see Kent Hughes look at options that could help the PK and a stable right-handed defenseman who can log minutes. pic.twitter.com/ZaHT4r3WkD

— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) January 27, 2026

We can agree that, in reality, the 2023 Canadiens imagined that by 2026, David Reinbacher would already be capable of filling that role in the National Hockey League.

However, injuries have slowed down the game plan.Once again this week, he gave many people a scare.

Pascal Vincent was very reassuring about David Reinbacher's health after the game in Calgary. #64 will be on the @RocketLaval's next trip to Syracuse and Toronto.

“He'll be there, he'll practice. There is a good prospect that he'll be able to play.”

— Vincent Demuy (@VDemuy) January 27, 2026

The 2025 Canadiens have clearly accepted the fact that David Reinbacher may not necessarily be that player, considering that they acquired Noah Dobson at a high price.

But the Canadiens of summer 2025 could still hope that, on the eve of the 2026 Olympic break, the first pick of 2023 would have gotten a taste of the National Hockey League.

Especially since Kaiden Guhle opened the door with his injury.

But as we know, another injury to Reinbacher disrupted plans early in the season. He is not as dominant this season, and that inevitably affects the Canadiens' plans.

I've always been one of those who thought that adding Reinbacher to the roster was a good thing. I'm still one of those who say that the development of a young defenseman is not linear.

But let's just say that the Austrian is giving me fewer and fewer reasons to defend him. After all, right now, he's the one we should be seeing on a third pairing in Montreal, getting his feet wet in the NHL and holding down the fort.

Instead, he's forcing the habs to look elsewhere for short-term options.

No one was asking Reinbacher to be a savior this season. But not seeing him in discussions for a short-term call-up complicates the habs' task and negatively affects the club's defensive depth. And more than ever, his future is a cause for concern.

Overtime

– Logical.

The Habs will keep the same lineup against the Golden Knights as they did in their last game in Boston, except for Jakub Dobes in goal.

— J-F Chaumont (@JFChaumontLNH) January 27, 2026

– To be continued.

The Dodgers prospect could quickly climb the ranks in the minors. https://t.co/rXdRt7VKjA

— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) January 27, 2026

– Nice.

ROSTER UPDATE: Xavier Bourgault has been recalled from the @BellevilleSens; Mads Sogaard has been loaned to the AHL club.

UPDATE: Xavier Bourgault has been recalled from the @BellevilleSens; Mads Sogaard has been loaned to the American Hockey League team.https://t.co/rMOFIuhgTH

— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) January 27, 2026

– Interesting.

There's been a lot of talk about fights in the #QMJHL lately.

Stats as of January 27

22-23 before the new rules: 59 fights
23-24: 23 fights
24-25: 19 fights
25-26: 45 fights

So YES, there has been a significant increase despite the strictness of the regulations

Next step?

— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) January 27, 2026

— Will he be back this season?

Aleksander Barkov, Tomas Nosek, Jonah Gadjovich, and Dmitry Kulikov all on the ice today in Fort Lauderdale after the #FlaPanthers morning skate pic.twitter.com/eap9hICpoA

— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) January 27, 2026