Canadiens’ top defense prospect David Reinbacher will miss most of the 2024-25 season due to knee surgery.
He got hurt during Saturday’s preseason game against the Maple Leafs. After a hit from Marshall Rifai, he awkwardly fell into the boards and injured his left leg. Though he left the ice on his own, he was clearly in pain.
Montreal hasn’t shared specific details about Reinbacher’s injury. They’re also waiting for news on Patrik Laine, who got hurt later in the same game after a knee-on-knee hit from Cédric Paré. Both players might be out for a long time .
Reinbacher, turning 20 soon, was picked fifth overall in the 2023 draft. Last season with Switzerland’s EHC Kloten, his stats dipped compared to his draft year. He scored one goal and had ten assists with a -15 rating in 35 games but improved later with AHL Laval, getting five points and a +6 rating in 11 games.
Impact on Team:
He hoped to make his NHL debut this season but now has to wait until at least March. Fans might be disappointed by this delay. He’ll likely spend some time back in Laval to regain form before joining the main roster. This absence opens up opportunities for young defenders like Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, and Jayden Struble.
Since Reinbacher didn’t play any NHL games last season, he’ll have a $0 cap hit while on injured reserve but will still earn his prorated $855K base salary.
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