Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
We are truly starting to witness a shift in the situation involving the young Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher.
Quietly but surely, the trade deadline is approaching, and the Canadiens are winning too many games to keep waiting on certain players.
With a little over five weeks to go until March 6, Martin St-Louis’ group is sitting near the top of the standings, and the conversation is changing tone.
When you feel a playoff spot within reach, the idea of adding a forward quickly comes back on the table, especially if the team wants to give itself a real chance to make noise in the postseason.
The key point is that Montreal isn’t looking for a rental player.
They’re talking about someone who can stay, grow with the group, and help for several seasons.
But that type of piece is expensive to acquire, and that’s where the so-called “untouchable” names start entering the debate.
David Reinbacher on track to be traded, against all expectations?
On the latest podcast by Mathias Brunet and Simon “Snake” Boisvert, concerns were raised about David Reinbacher’s development, slowed by injuries and a pace that hasn’t exactly blown the roof off in the AHL.
Brunet even went as far as placing Adam Engstrom ahead of him in the organizational hierarchy, which turns up the heat on the defenseman selected fifth overall in 2023.
Reinbacher is a 6-foot-3, 207-pound right-handed defenseman, and he’s only 21 years old.
This season, his production in the AHL has been very modest.
It’s not the end of the world, but it leaves room for interpretation, especially when the team is winning and management feels the urge to act.
If Kent Hughes wants an impact forward who isn’t just passing through, he’ll have to move a meaningful asset.
A prospect drafted that high, even at a young age, can become the centerpiece of a major trade precisely because his name still carries weight around the league.
In the end, the question isn’t about “giving up” on him.
It’s about whether Montreal is ready to turn a future bet into immediate help, while the competitive window is opening faster than expected.
“On his last podcast, Mathias Brunet said two times that David Reinbacher could be gone faster than we think.
Like him or not Mathias is well connected to Habs front office and is usually very supportive to Habs prospect.
This makes me think that Hughes and Gorton don’t see him as an untouchable anymore.
Not saying they’ll trade him any time soon, but he could very well be part of a blockbuster for a top 6 forward if the opportunity present itself.”
– William Leblanc
It’s a possibility to keep in mind!
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics