David Reinbacher looks ready to make the Montreal Canadiens out of camp. Where he actually plays might matter more than the roster spot itself.
"I think it's relatively safe to say Reinbacher will start in Montreal," HFTV reported.
Reinbacher, a 21-year-old defenseman, has appeared in just 2 NHL games so far, posting 1 assist in that small sample.
The pairing question is what's generating real debate. Lane Hutson posted 78 points in 82 games last season, an elite offensive season that makes him the obvious glamour pairing for any young defenseman.
But HFTV argued against that instinct. "As much as I'd love for him to play with Hutson, he should probably play with Xhekaj or Struble because those two probably need him the most."
Arber Xhekaj posted just 4 points in 65 games last season, going minus-8, while Jayden Struble added 12 points in 59 games, both steadier defensive presences who could benefit more from Reinbacher's stabilizing influence.
Montreal finished 48-24-10 for 106 points this season, sixth overall, giving head coach Martin St-Louis real flexibility in how he wants to build out his bottom pairings.
Why pairing decisions like this actually matter
Putting Reinbacher next to Hutson would maximize offensive upside on paper, but it risks pairing two players who both lean more toward puck-moving than shutdown defense.
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Pairing him with Xhekaj or Struble instead gives Montreal a more balanced look, letting Reinbacher's positioning and reads support a partner who needs exactly that kind of complement.
That's the kind of decision that shapes not just one pairing, but how the entire blue line gets deployed against tougher matchups throughout the season.
Reinbacher's readiness for NHL minutes isn't really in question anymore. The bigger question is which partner actually gets the most out of him early in his career.
Whichever way St-Louis goes, this decision will say a lot about whether Montreal is optimizing for immediate offensive upside or long-term defensive stability on the back end.
Should David Reinbacher be paired with Lane Hutson or with a more defensive partner like Xhekaj or Struble?
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