More attention than at any other period in his young career will be given to David Reinbacher as he arrives at Montreal Canadiens camp this summer.
He was the fifth overall selection. Since then, he has fought through injuries. He is now 21 years old and has not yet established himself at the NHL level.
However, that is not nothing. Reinbacher displayed composed, uncomplicated defensive play in restricted action last season, recording one assist in two games.
Flash is not permitted. Don’t worry. Although the sample size was small, he appeared to fit in as a right-shot defender.
Rumors in the company this summer indicate that he’s putting forth an unprecedented effort in his training in order to arrive in the finest condition of his career.
This completely alters the calculus for Martin St-Louis leading up to training camp if it is accurate.
Lane Hutson lacks a true partner at the moment. And that’s a big issue for Montreal.
Without a real partner, Hudson’s output is declining.
Over the course of the entire year, Hutson recorded 78 points (12 goals and 66 assists) and a plus-36 rating.
However, examine his current streak more closely. He scored only nine points and fell to minus-4 over his last ten games.
He performed worse in his final five games. A minus-five score and two points. There’s something not working on the backend.
Would a reliable stay-at-home right shot next to him solve that? Nobody is sure. But it is worth inquiring about.
On paper, Reinbacher fits the description. Right-handed, big-bodied, and collected under duress—just what Hutson has been lacking.
This becomes even easier to think about given the cap position. Reinbacher has a cap value of $918,333. At 950,000, Hutson is currently in that position.
Two cheap, manageable pieces on the same blue line who are young. Kent Hughes can create on the basis of that kind of flexibility.
Giving a rookie the keys before they have driven the vehicle in traffic is comparable to immediately pairing them full-time. It would be a mistake to rush it.
Two games in the NHL have been played by Reinbacher. It would be wise for St-Louis to introduce him gradually rather than overburdening him with top-pair minutes on the first night.
Despite a one-game skid, Montreal is currently in sixth place overall and third in the division with a record of 48-24-10, riding a 7-3-0 run over their previous ten games.
St-Louis is able to test things out without the strain of a team struggling for its playoff life because to this sort of shape.
The true tale will be revealed at the camp. Reinbacher either demonstrates his ability to handle actual NHL minutes or he doesn’t.
Regardless, Hutson requires a companion. The only thing left to ask is whether Montreal already has the solution internally.
