“We were convinced that David Reinbacher was the player who could help the team the most. We have attackers capable of maintaining a certain pace of production, be it Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki or Kirby Dach, and we believe they still have a lot of potential.
The words you have just read are from Kent Hughes.
On June 28th last year, at the draft in Nashville, the general director of CH explained the choice of his club, which, with its fifth selection overall, had chosen Reinbacher, a defender, rather than one of the numerous attackers currently still available.
“If he had been a left-handed defender it might have cooled us down a bit,” he added. But on the right side we have less depth.
Time will tell if Montreal made the right decision. But by leaving a whole host of talented attackers on the field when choosing the Austrian full-back (namely Michkov, Benson and Leonard), Hughes and his followers, despite their will, have created a reality where the pressure is on the young man's shoulders will be big upon its official arrival in North America.
And just recently, it added another layer to the rumor that Sainte-Flanelle officials rejected a deal involving their 2023 fifth-round pick (now Reinbacher) for young American striker Cutter Gauthier.
Getty Images via AFP
When we analyze the number of young players and talent the Canadian has on offense, something seems to be missing. Something like “elite talent.” And for some, this “elite talent” was within reach in the last draft.
For this reason, Reinbacher, who has absolutely nothing to do with the Habs' offensive talent needs, is doomed to deliver the goods. In fact, it seems (very unfortunately) certain that in the eyes of many he will remain “the player chosen over an attacker with great potential” until he truly knows how to prove his worth in blue, white and red can. ”
And proving your worth in a league like the National League (NHL) isn't easy. You have to go through an inevitable process. A laborious process full of pitfalls, pitfalls and challenges.
Moritz Seider and David Jiricek, two defenders with many similarities to Reinbacher, have gone through exactly this process in recent years. In fact, they are still experiencing it.
And in recent weeks they both agreed to speak to the author of these lines.
The importance of patience with a young security guard
Moritz Seider made his NHL debut in 2021-22, two years after being selected sixth overall in the 2019 draft.
After his selection, the imposing 1.90 meter tall, 90 kilogram right-hander initially played one season in the American Hockey League (AHL) before starting a season in the SHL, Sweden's top division.
As is often the case with the Red Wings, patience was the top priority as a development strategy. The team preferred to see Seider develop physically and compete over 200 feet before signing him for the first time. And this approach appears to have been the right one for him: his first NHL audition at the end of those two seasons was highly successful.
Number 53, a defenseman as we remember, finished his first season on the Bettman circuit with a record of 50 points (!) in 82 games. He led his team in average playing time and was second in shots on goal and goals. In short, he was ready and it showed.
Archive photo, AFP
Still, Seider insists that despite its successes, nothing was easy about this first season. A kind of warning for Reinbacher and the young talents from CH, who will also go through this phase in the coming years.
“It took a good two months until I felt comfortable in the NHL,” admits the young man.
David Jiricek, another strong right-hander (6 feet, 4 inches, 199 pounds), was also selected sixth overall, but by the Columbus Blue Jackets and during the 2022 draft (that of Juraj Slafkovsky).
In his case too, we didn't want to rush anything. In addition to four minor games (two in October 2022 and two in April 2023) in the NHL, the Ohio team officials decided that he should spend his first professional season in the AHL.
And Jiricek is the first to say that this decision was the right one.
“It changed everything, honestly! I was quietly able to develop as a professional player despite becoming increasingly isolated. I'm very grateful that I got to play it [dans la LAH]», he says confidently.
A trap to avoid
In his first season in the AHL and the same age as Seider, Jiricek was more productive as the Red Wings defenseman: 38 points in 55 games, compared to 22 points in 49 games for Seider.
But this year, in his first “real” season in the Bettman circuit, the Czech guard’s offensive performance has been very modest so far: after 36 duels, he only has nine points, including a single goal. It was even left aside a few days ago.
“Of course I want to be more decisive in attack! But I don't play on the power play, so it's difficult. I've always been a productive defender and I want to continue to bring that kind of performance to my team, but this is unlike anything I've experienced before. In your first moments in the NHL, you'll be required to play good defense, even if that means leaving the offense out. You just have to find a balance.”
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And this “balance” can be very difficult to find, as rookie Moritz Seider says.
“When you're young and starting in the league, you want to be on your A game and dominate every night. You want to impress. But it is impossible! I've learned over the weeks to have a consistent and reliable style instead of always going for the home run. The results still arrive in the end, but in a context that is more beneficial for everyone,” explains the German philosopher.
Here we have an obvious trap that David Reinbacher must avoid upon his arrival in Montreal.
In 2023, a time when many associate the quality of a defender with the total points he scores, the young CH prospect must remember to take it one bite at a time, even if, like Seider, he does it well In a nutshell, the desire to do so will be strong.
Five significant challenges
It's interesting to listen to Seider and Jiricek. Both express themselves unfiltered and with beautiful openness. When asked about the biggest challenges when starting a career in the NHL, the two guards named five.
“Firstly, the speed of the game,” says Seider. Honestly, there is nothing comparable between other leagues and the NHL. Things are much, much faster here. The NHL is like the Champions League in football. There is no level that comes close to this.”
The Wings defender then takes a break and then the game continues.
“Traveling is also an element that many recruits underestimate. In the NHL you're constantly on the go, coming home late and sometimes having to play against rested and fresh players. I admit I didn't really think about it.
“Then people have to take the human aspect into account. You meet new people and they all have different personalities. You want to create your space in the dressing room. You want to create a new routine in a city you don't know.
“You also meet new teams every night and have to compete with stars you have watched since you were a child. It's cool, but it takes a lot. Every first time, you have to study other people's tendencies and adapt. It’s not obvious.”
David Jiricek addresses a reality often mentioned by European players.
“The size of the rinks is really an aspect to consider,” emphasizes the friendly skater. Before my AHL season, I had almost never played on such small ice. Their response time is really, really faster.”
David Reinbacher's excellent reputation
In Kloten, Switzerland, David Reinbacher has had a rather average season so far.
The full-back, who was injured at the start of the season, has currently played 19 games. He has a performance of one goal and six assists, a differential of -2 and plays an average of 18:19 per night. In terms of playing time, he ranks fourth among his team's defenders. Although the young man was known for his reliability, he lost the ball several times in his first duels.
His overall play has been more convincing in recent games, but it's completely legitimate to expect more from a fifth overall pick.
However, HC Kloten, the club where the Canadians' hopes are developing, is terrible. Of course, this reality must be factored into the equation.
Meanwhile, Zach Benson is playing an important role with the Sabers in Buffalo, Matvei Michkov is flying through the KHL and Ryan Leonard and Cutter Gauthier are playing with vigor in both the NCAA and the World Junior Championships.
Nevertheless, Reinbacher's reputation remains excellent, at least in the eyes of Seider and Jiricek.
“I faced him at the Junior World Championships,” recalls Jiricek. We have a bit of the same style. Honestly, it's excellent. Very full.”
Seider is no less complimentary and even mentions the name of another well-known Habs prospect.
“I never played against him, but I saw him on video, especially on the sidelines of the last draft. He is impressive! I sincerely believe that Canadiens fans can be excited about their future on the blue line. I think it will be very pleasant to see Reinbacher and Lane Hutson together.
MARTIN ALARIE / JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
We said it above: CH fans expect a lot from the Austrian defender.
Inevitably, Seider sees a bit of himself in him: two early-drafted European full-backs in whom the team behind the selection has high hopes.
“It may be a cliché, but keep it simple,” advises Seider Reinbacher. You will be nervous, even shaken, the first time the puck hits the ice. But that's all normal. It would be strange not to feel anything! Just remember why you’re here.”
Seider, clearly very inspired, concludes with this remark.
“When you get your chance, you have to find a way to write your own story.”
And will Reinbacher's be a bestseller, a lemon, or an “average” story?
The answer will not be available for several years.