Injury to one of the Montreal Canadiens' top young defensemen creates a tricky decision
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
David Reinbacher gave Martin St-Louis another development headache after leaving an AHL playoff game with Laval.
This isn't a vague prospect-watch item anymore.
It's an asset-protection decision.
Reinbacher's latest concern surfaced in the Rocket's playoff game, not in Montreal's NHL room, which makes the timing even trickier.
Laval needed him with its season on the line, and he still wasn't on the bench after the first period.
Reinbacher's absence left Laval rotating its defense without one of its most important right-shot options.
"All signs point to David Reinbacher still being injured."
Montreal has to protect the bigger plan
The Canadiens have to look past one AHL playoff night.
Reinbacher has played 2 NHL games this season, with 1 assist and 13:09 in average ice time.
That is a tiny NHL sample for a 2023 fifth overall pick who is still being shaped for a top-four job.
St-Louis can't treat him like emergency depth if the body isn't ready to handle playoff pace.
Montreal's front office also has to weigh the blue-line picture around Noah Dobson, Adam Engstrom, and the Laval-to-Montreal shuttle.
The temptation is obvious because right-shot defensemen with Reinbacher's profile don't sit around forever.
But this is where restraint matters.
Reinbacher's value is not tied to one Rocket series or one short-term roster hole.
It's tied to clean pivots, repeat gaps, calm exits, and the kind of trust that only comes when a defenseman is fully healthy.
For Montreal, the smart call is simple: no rush, no gamble, no forced playoff storyline.
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