This team may decide to be protective of their first round pick next season, options limited on where he'll play

The Montreal Canadiens shocked plenty of people when they selected Austrian defenceman David Reinbacher with the fifth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Several fans were disappointed that they didn't pick Matvei Michkov, but frustrations subsided after a little while.

When asked on draft night, Reinbacher said he will return to Switzerland's National League for the 2023-24 season because he still has one year of school and while it still may be an option for the 18-year-old, he very well could be on the Canadiens' opening night roster.

A Swiss media outlet, citing Neue Zurcher Zeitung, has reportedly said that the there are only two options for David Reinbacher next season - Montreal or EHC Kloten.

Reinbacher is eligible to play with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League or the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting, who selected him in the 2022 CHL Import Draft, but it's probably best for him to develop overseas in Switzerland where the spotlight won't be on him every single night and he can continue to work on his craft.


There's no doubt the Canadiens will give Reinbacher plenty of opportunity during training camp and in pre-season games, potentially even getting some games in the NHL at the start of the year in October. But for Reinbacher's development, it might be best to send him back to EHC Kloten and he'll likely also play a big role for the Austrian U20 team at the 2024 World Junior Division 1A tournament.

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