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In Hainsight: Development Camp Done, Reinbacher Signed |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
On a scorching July day, most people are trying to find a pool to go to, but not die-hard Habs fans, those are a special breed, and they like nothing better than spending a few hours in the arena, even if it’s just to watch 4 on 4 scrimmages featuring the team’s prospects. Yesterday, they were treated to two 25-minute mini-matches, which weren’t high-scoring affairs (the first one ending 1-0 and the second one in a 1-1 tie) but were nonetheless exciting to watch.
Most of the excitement came from the budding chemistry between the Canadiens’ latest 1st round pick David Reinbacher and undersized blueliner Lane Hutson. Throughout the three days of on-ice sessions the pair were often together for drills, and it showed in the mini-matches. On numerous occasions, Hutson tried to set up Reinbacher for a goal, but the towering defenseman failed to convert. Still, there is something to be said about the ease they had finding each other on the ice and creating opportunity.
After the games, both men were complimentary of their partner, Reinbacher going as far as saying that Hutson could be the next Cale Makar and Hutson singing the Austrian’s praises. Aside from this dynamic duo, Logan Mailloux was also a stand-out for me. While these were only scrimmages, the big defender played a physical game and didn’t hesitate to lay down hits when opportunity came knocking. There’s still plenty of room for improvement in the 2020 first-round pick’s game, but he should be fun to watch in Laval this season.
Both Nick Suzuki and Paul Byron were at camp this week to speak with the prospects. That’s far from surprising from the captain but Byron’s deal with the Canadiens expired on July 1st, perhaps that’s an indication that they will keep him around in some capacity. Byron’s speech to the youngsters was about being a team player and accepting to play whichever role you’re given on a team, as he put it, there’s much worse fate in life than playing 4th line minutes in the NHL.
Last night, the website of renowned podcast La Poche Bleu announced that Reinbacher had already signed his entry-level contract, and sure enough, the team confirmed early this morning that the Austrian blueliner had inked his first deal. The 3-year pact doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be playing in North America this coming season, but it’s at the very least a possibility.
While Reinbacher still has a year of school left to tackle in Switzerland, he has already said that he could do it remotely should the Canadiens want him to come over to this side of the pond this season. Of course, if he were to play in Laval this year, he could start getting acclimated to the North American game and to the smaller rinks, but he’d play less minutes than he would if he went back to Switzerland.
According to Eric Engels, the contract has a European assignment clause over the first two years of the deal, but that doesn’t mean Reinbacher would be send straight back to Switzlerland, but if and when they do send him back, he’s there for the season.
With the development camp now over, things should quiet down for the Canadiens although there are still a few RFA contracts to be signed (Newhook and Ylonen) and Hughes will still be trying to trim down his roster, but that could take some time…
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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