By JD Lagrange – This is not my article. It’s an adaptation of one written by Anthony Martineau, a newer but quality reporter at TVA Sports. But I felt like the English-speaking Canadiens’ fans had to read it too, in order to gain a better understanding of David Reinbacher, as he’s set to start his career in North America. The original can be found here, in French.
Several individuals reflexively gauge the performance, potential, and/or quality of a prospect (yes, even a defenseman) by perusing various websites showcasing offensive statistics.
Between work, familial responsibilities (and all that entails), household chores, hobbies, and travel, the average hockey enthusiast has scant time to attend a game in person and thoroughly assess a player’s performance. And that’s not counting on the ability to know what to look for and how it will translate to the NHL.
Streaming games online presents a budget-friendly and time-efficient option. However, due to the camera focus primarily on the puck, much of the gameplay remains obscured. Additionally, the limitations of a mere 24-hour day pose a considerable challenge for many enthusiasts. Consequently, statistics endure as the most economical avenue for shaping assessments of a player’s performance.
As Canadiens’ prospect David Reinbacher is hinging closer to making his debuts with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League, fans and media are anxiously waiting to see him play live. The Canadiens having recently loaned of their most recent first-round pick (fifth overall) to their farm team from Kloten in the Swiss League.
Hailing from the top Swiss league, the statistics for the Austrian defenseman’s previous season were as follows: 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points… in 35 games.
Merely scrutinizing these four statistical columns might lead one to assume Reinbacher had an exceedingly average season, and Kent Hughes, who in June extolled the young man as a “raw diamond” and “the best player available at the Canadiens’ pick”, would have little to boast about.
Numbers that, in Reinbacher’s case, indeed lack luster. But numbers that scarcely scratch the surface of the full narrative.
“When I play against him, he gives me the impression that he’s already 30 years old.“
Marc-Antoine Pouliot, a 38-year-old forward for Genève Servette, stands amongst a trio of players who encountered the Habs’ prospect over two years in the Swiss National League, interviewed by TVASports.
Pouliot, alongside Maxim Noreau, a 36-year-old defenseman for the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, and Guillaume Asselin, a 31-year-old forward for the Ajoie hockey club, candidly consented to provide their individual scouting reports on the 19-year-old defenseman.
Here are their observations, categorized by various aspects of play.
Greatest Strength:
Maxim Noreau: “His hockey sense is exceptional. I might even venture to say it surpasses the average of players drafted in his ranks. I’ve witnessed him execute highly efficient zone exits. His decision-making while under pressure is remarkably clean. He doesn’t act impulsively; every move serves a purpose. He’ll subtly position his body to aid a teammate. He remains composed, opting to retain possession rather than hastily get rid of the puck.“
“He’s adept at luring an opponent towards him in the neutral zone before threading a pass to his teammate. This creates a three-on-two scenario. He may not execute flashy, lofty passes, but he will ensure Caufield and Suzuki swiftly receive the puck, and ultimately, that’s what counts.“
Guillaume Asselin: “His speed, his agility. Undoubtedly. He’s incredibly tough to beat in one-on-one situations for an attacker.“
Marc-Antoine Pouliot: “His skating ability is top-notch. He possesses immense power. Having played in Switzerland for 12 years, encountering a 19-year-old defenseman with his combination of skating prowess and size is extremely rare.“
Offense:
Guillaume Asselin: “His knack for finding space in the offensive zone is underestimated. He knows how to position himself without drawing undue attention. Drop him in a junior league, and he’ll easily notch 70 points. This underscores the importance of relying deeper into statistics. He may not be a Cale Makar, but dismissing him as solely defensive is grossly inaccurate.“
Marc-Antoine Pouliot: “His mobility in enemy territory sets him apart. He boasts a consistently accurate shot. His team encountered significant offensive struggles. Personally, I wouldn’t place much stock in his statistics.“
Maxim Noreau: “Developing his trade in Kloten, he contended with teammates of lesser caliber compared to those elsewhere in the league. That’s the harsh reality. Frequently, he executes high-quality zone exits, swiftly passing to a teammate with his feet in motion. However, he scarcely had time to contribute to the attack before the puck was back in his own zone.“
“If you place Reinbacher on a team with adept attackers, he’ll adeptly deliver the puck to them for quick zone entries, facilitating offensive momentum. That, too, constitutes offense. Without flamboyance, he’ll still get his share of points.“
Defense:
Guillaume Asselin: “He’s nearly unbeatable in terms of speed. His gap control is exemplary. He denies attackers space in one-on-one scenarios. His stickwork is exceptional. He demonstrates astute positioning, making him a formidable opponent. Facing him isn’t enjoyable! And mind you, he’s merely 19 years old. Despite his youth and competing in one of the world’s premier leagues against seasoned professionals, he excels. That’s commendable.“
“We have a few Québécois players on the team, and naturally, Reinbacher is a topic of discussion because we know he’s property of the Canadiens. Consensus is, he’s solid and incredibly difficult to outmaneuver. Often, when you see a player his age on the opposing team, you anticipate that you’ll have an easy time. Yet, with Reinbacher, it’s quite the contrary. His defensive prowess is exceptional.“
Marc-Antoine Pouliot: “I’ve faced him numerous times this season, and each encounter leaves me feeling like I’m battling a seasoned veteran. He remains vigilant in his own zone, constantly scanning the ice. He exudes the poise of a player well beyond his years.“
Areas for Improvement:
Maxim Noreau: “Enhancing his puck battles, whether physical or with his stick, is imperative. While intelligent, he’s not the most assertive in the corners. Prevailing in puck duels is crucial. Additionally, he could display greater mobility and aggressiveness in the offensive zone, attributes that can be honed through coaching, in my opinion.“
Guillaume Asselin: “I’d like to see him exhibit more confidence in his offensive abilities in the offensive zone. Be less conservative, occasionally more audacious. Offensively, he’s more capable than his current decision-making might suggest.“
Projection Comparison:
Maxim Noreau: “Having recently analyzed numerous NHL games via video, I’m struck by the resemblance between his style and Devon Toews’. He’s not flashy, preferring to exploit available space rather than attempt to outmaneuver opponents. Toews isn’t known for flamboyance; instead, his strength lies in simplicity and sound decision-making. Coaches cherish a player like Devon Toews. You can deploy him for 25 minutes across all situations, confident he’ll deliver.“
“I’m not suggesting David Reinbacher, even at his pinnacle, will rank among the top 5 scorers among defensemen. Yet, would Canadiens fans truly bemoan having a defenseman like Devon Toews on their roster? To unlock Cale Makar’s full potential, you need a Devon Toews…“
Guillaume Asselin: “My initial comparison would be to Alex Pietrangelo. He’s a well-rounded player, neither solely offensive nor purely defensive. He skates well. Such players are game-changers. Reinbacher might lack the flashy style of Lane Hutson, but his contributions to Montreal will be invaluable. He’ll feature on the second power play unit and the primary penalty kill. Expect him to log between 24 and 27 minutes per game, matched against the opposition’s elite. That’s a substantial asset.“
“To secure Stanley Cups, you need players of his caliber. Championship teams often rely on a majority of sizeable defensemen with exceptional skating abilities. Reinbacher embodies precisely that.“