After a few weeks of absence, Lapointe’s Echoes is back in full force today. We’ll be talking about the Montreal Canadiens’ players including Jacob Fowler, David Reinbacher, Kirby Dach, and Brendan Gallagher.
Jacob Fowler, the Savior of the Montreal Canadiens
The saying that you shouldn’t rush a young hockey player into the NHL is becoming less and less relevant as expectations continue to rise around the Montreal Canadiens. Whether it’s management, the media, or the fans, more and more eyes are turning toward the prospect pool to fix issues within the current lineup (even though those issues have been present for three years).
We had a good example of this this season with Jacob Fowler arriving as a savior in the middle of the season to make up for the struggles of Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault. Once things stabilized, the young goaltender was sent back to the AHL, only to be recalled again to take the spot of the Quebecer, who is no longer a shadow of his former self. Where did the patience go? Where are the “he needs a full season with the Laval Rocket to be ready” arguments?
I’m no better than anyone else. I’m happy to see him skip steps, because Jacob Fowler looks ready. He’s solid, technical, consistent, and reassuring in net. That hasn’t been the case for his two counterparts who, despite a winning record for the Czech, don’t always inspire confidence. Still, just because it seems to be working for him doesn’t mean it will for others. The obsession with needing a savior is a recurring theme around the Canadiens.
Lapointe’s Echos is a recurring series of articles addressing current hockey news. The topics covered are quite broad and touch on the Montreal Canadiens, the draft, the NHL, trades, social media debates, and more.
David Reinbacher as Reinforcement: A False Good Idea
I’m seeing more and more media members and fans wanting David Reinbacher to be called up by the Canadiens to fix the defensive issues. Since the beginning of the rebuild, defensive play has been one of the team’s major problems. The offense somewhat masks the inconsistency on the back end despite the presence of very capable players. So how can we expect a player who has missed more games than he has played since being drafted in 2023 to suddenly put the defensive corps back on track?
I’m not against seeing David Reinbacher step onto the Bell Centre ice. He’s been having some very good moments in Laval. However, those good moments stem from stability and the fact that he’s finally playing without injury. Can we just leave him there and instead target next season as his entry point into the show, rather than rushing him into the spotlight with the pressure of fixing the defensive lapses of a more-than-respectable group?
Let’s hold the current players accountable instead of thinking an external savior will pull them out of trouble. David Reinbacher doesn’t need all that attention right now. He should remain in the shadows for the moment and focus on the AHL playoffs. If the Canadiens want to give him a small reward at the end of the season after the team clinches a playoff spot (if it happens), why not. But I would avoid at all costs putting him in the same chair as Jacob Fowler—the one labeled “savior.”
Kirby Dach Must Be Removed from the Plans
I’m truly disappointed by Kirby Dach’s injury. Despite some strong moments, he can no longer be part of the organization’s plans. There’s no need to sugarcoat it. The accumulation of injuries weighs heavily in his evaluation. Still, Dach remains a player who can be used on the wing on a third line because of his reach, mobility, and his ability to recover and protect the puck. It’s just that we can no longer assume he’ll be available when the team needs him.
At the start of next season, if he’s still a member of the Canadiens, Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton, and Martin St. Louis can’t put Kirby Dach’s name into the lineup without expecting him to miss half the games. That kind of situation is difficult to manage for a team aiming to become a Stanley Cup contender. It constantly has to fill the hole created by his absences. That’s why I believe he will be traded in the coming months. Whether it’s at a loss or not barely matters anymore for the Canadiens. They need a more stable solution.
A Rotation Up Front for the Canadiens
Maybe that solution could be Alexandre Texier, who is genuinely useful in any role he’s given. One can question how quickly the GM signed the Frenchman. However, when you see that he can be inserted anywhere in the lineup and contribute, it’s not too hard to understand that urgency. The project was promising for Dach, and expectations were high. It just didn’t work out due to factors beyond anyone’s control.
In one of my first Lapointe’s Echoes, I mentioned that Brendan Gallagher would eventually have to sit out to make room for Alex Newhook. However, I added that it would never happen because St. Louis wouldn’t dare do that to a veteran. In the end, the coach did dare. There are too many capable players to keep reliable contributors like Texier in the press box. There needs to be some kind of rotation system. Zachary Bolduc does it, Alexandre Texier does it—it’s only normal that the little warrior goes through it as well, regardless of what his veteran teammates might think. It’s part of refreshing a roster.
In the coming weeks, we’ll dive into the heart of the NHL Draft a little more. We’ll focus on prospects and the playoffs that are underway (or about to begin) across junior leagues.