Dramatic turn and David Reinbacher already involved in a trade? It's a surprise and it has just been seriously put forward by Brian Wilde

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Elias Edmonson
January 7, 2024 (8:09 PM)

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2024 will be a year of major decisions for Kent Hughes. In addition to deciding what to do with his goaltenders, Sean Monahan, and considering whether to finally add a notable veteran to his lineup, he will need to start thinking about his defensive squad.

Indeed, as Brian Wilde recently pointed out in a series of tweets, the CH's defensive brigade is very deep. No fewer than 12 defensemen can or will be able to play in the NHL next season. The journalist therefore suggests starting to liquidate some defenders while they have value.

According to him, Hughes should listen to offers for David Savard, Jordan Harris, and Johnathan Kovacevic. He even goes further by adding to this list, sit down, the club's most recent first-round pick, David Reinbacher.

The journalist mentions that if the offer is good, Hughes should jump at the opportunity and trade the Austrian defenseman. But what constitutes a good offer in this situation?

The goal here is to find offense and goals. The team, according to Wilde, is lacking 55 goals per season to be competitive. Hughes should therefore take advantage of his surplus of defenders, coupled with Reinbacher's value, to find this missing offense.

« "What's important for Reinbacher? An equivalent in another draft. A team that picks in the top 10, say 9, wants to give you 9 for David in June, take it. The club needs goals. You have to give to get. The 9th pick this year is a top 6 F. The balance must change. The team needs 55 goals." - Brian Wilde

The idea, which is relatively good in my opinion, would however only further frustrate the fans. It would therefore be surprising if the club's management decided to trade its young prospect just one season after selecting him, especially after going through the media storm that this selection caused. We remember that these fans absolutely wanted the Habs to draft this type of player (an attacker) last year instead of Reinbacher.

Nevertheless, the CH definitely has too many players on defense and many will have to leave. These players will not accept to remain as second fiddles, while a place in the big club will become increasingly difficult to obtain.

In 16 games with Kloten in the Swiss A League, Reinbacher accumulated 1 goal and 5 assists for a total of 6 points. In the same formation last season, he had finished the year with 22 points in 46 games.

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