Corey Pronman details what to expect from the prospects and how they fit into the farm system. This page will be updated throughout the 2023 NHL Draft.
The Montreal Canadiens hold the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Montreal has nine picks in total this year, including Nos. 69, 101, 110 which the team acquired from the Penguins, 128 (via the Golden Knights), 133, 144, 165, and 197.
Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Montréal Canadiens’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system. This page will be updated throughout the 2023 NHL Draft.
Draft Class
5. David Reinbacher, RHD, KLOTEN (SWISS)
October 25, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 194 pounds
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Brett Pesce
Background: Reinbacher was a top-four defenseman for his NLA team this season. He had the second most productive draft season by a player in NLA history, behind Auston Matthews, and the best by a defenseman. He was a top player for Austria at the 2023 world juniors. He played regular minutes for Austria’s senior team at the Deutschland Cup. He played for Austria’s U20 team at the 2022 world juniors as well.
Analysis: Reinbacher is an excellent all-around defenseman. His mobility stands out immediately, especially as a 6-foot-2 right-shot defender. Reinbacher’s gap control is quite strong; he kills a lot of plays due to his feet. He can close on guys with his body too, and shows a high compete level to win back pucks. He’s very polished defensively for such a young player, and projects to shut down good NHL forwards. He’s able to both skate and pass pucks up ice. He’s got good offensive touch, showing solid hands and better vision. He’s not dynamic with the puck but showed this season at a young age he could make plays and move the puck like a pro. His sense is very good and he projects to be a power-play guy in the NHL. Reinbacher is a potential top-pair, all-situations NHL defenseman.
Thoughts on the pick: In Reinbacher the Canadiens get a true premium defense prospect, a player with top pair potential and a chance to become a star if he really hits. Reinbacher immediately becomes the best defense talent in the Habs organization, and a future blue line with him, Kaiden Guhle, Logan Mailloux, Lane Hutson and Justin Barron looks like potentially a very good group. Reinbacher is a mobile, competitive defenseman with size and offensive upside.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
