What is best for David Reinbacher
Written by Fred Arshoff
Edited by Judy Pitcher
First of all many thanks to my editor Judy Pitcher for always editing my articles, adding and updating information between the time I wrote the article and it’s being published. A tip of my hat to you. Judy.
I decides to write this article, as one of my friends of 50 years has different thoughts on what is better for David Reinbacher. I will state what I feel is best and why I feel that way. I will also say what my friend thinks is best.
I feel Reinbacher would best be served by finishing the 2023-24 season with the Laval Rocket. They currently have just 12 games remaining of their season prior to the start of the playoffs. Reinbacher should also play at least 50% of the 2024-25 season with the Rocket, as well.
My reasoning is that Reinbacher will need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the North American game, as well as, playing on a much smaller ice surface. The Laval Rocket and the HABS play the same style of hockey which he will also have to adjust to. The European style is often not as fast but more skilled. In Europe teams bus home immediately after each game, where as in North America a team can be on the road for varying lengths of time. Reinbacher will will also have to adjust to a different language, culture and a new country.
Look what happened to Mattias Norlinder who was drafted by former GM Marc Bergevin in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in the 3rd round at 94th overall. He did not want to play in Laval and got permission from Bergevin to return to Sweded where he played for HC Frolunda for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons before returning to play in Canada for the remainder of the 2021-22 season and currently plays in Laval.He lost 1 1/2 years of development in North American hockey and adjusting to the language and culture. In my opinion he has not lived up to expectations. I think it is easier to learn to adapt when a player is younger.
My friend thinks Reinbacher should join the HABS when they return to Montreal from their current western road trip. He says that since Reinbacher was the 2023 NHL Entry draft 1st round pick at 5th overall, he is NHL ready right now. He played a full season in a professional European League.
JUDY’S THOUGHTS
David Reinbacher will make his Laval Rocket debut tonight against the Belleville Senators,
Photo below of Reinacher’s 1st game last night
I wish him the best of luck in his new adventure. We already know what Kent Hughes’ plan is for Reinbacher, as he told us in a press conference last week when he announced that David was arriving in Montreal. Hughes intends to have Reinbacher play the rest of this season and hopefully the playoffs, as well, in Laval. Reinbacher only turned 19 last October. He missed part of this season with EHC Kloten due to a knee injury, as well as having a coaching change for his team. I think not rushing him is better for his development and unless Hughes makes a bunch of trades of defencemen, there is currently no roster spot available for him in the HABS line-up. I’m not saying they don’t bring him up for 1 game at the Centre Bell near the end of the season should the Rocket not make the playoffs, but that would just be speculation. don’t think we can compare him to Juraj Slafkovsky who was younger but other than having to adjust to the smaller ice surface and physicality of North American hockey, Slaf had already lived away from home in different countries, including Finland since he was 14 years old.
STATS
David Reinbacher was born in Hohenem, Austria on October 25, 2004. He s 6’2″(189cm) and weighs 194lbs(88kg) 2022-23 EHC Kloten(NL) 46GP 3G 19A 22Pts 26PIM
2022-23 Austria WJC U20/WC/International 20GP 0G 7A 7Pts 4PIM
2023-24 EHC Kloten(NL) 35GP 1G 10A 11Pts 11PIM Last 10GP -11
The difference in size between the European ice surfaces and that of the NHL are quite stark. European: 197ft L X 98.5ft W = 19,404.5sq ft
NHL: 200ft L X 85ft W = 17,000sq ft
SOURCE
https://www.eliteprospects.com
Photo below David Reinbacher with puck from his 1st AHL goal Jakub Dobes sets new #Rocket record by obtaining his 20th win of the season. He breaks the record held by Cayden Primeau in 2022-23.
Montreal Sports 