Canadiens Recall David Reinbacher as Defence Deals With Injuries
The Montreal Canadiens recalled defenceman David Reinbacher from the Laval Rocket ahead of the second game of a back-to-back against the Washington Capitals…
With Montreal down to six defenders, David Reinbacher has rejoined the Canadiens from the Laval Rocket. The team recalled the defenceman ahead of the second half of its back-to-back against the Washington Capitals, but said he would not play Wednesday.
His return gives Montreal another option on defence as it manages injuries. Mike Matheson missed Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury classified as day-to-day, while Noah Dobson briefly left that game after taking a puck to the face before returning.
Reinbacher, 21, had appeared in two NHL games for Montreal last April, recording one assist across 26:17 of combined ice time. The Canadiens announced the recall; the team is set to meet Washington at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
David Reinbacher returns after Laval stint
The recall follows a training camp that did not initially earn Reinbacher a place on Montreal’s roster. He spent the 2026 training camp with the Canadiens and played in three pre-season games before the club sent him to Laval.
He had also been reassigned to the Rocket during the team’s roster cuts, according to a separate report from Sportsnet’s Yahoo syndication. That report said Reinbacher was among 10 players reassigned to Laval on Sunday.
Another account of camp described Reinbacher as a standout on the blue line in three pre-season appearances. It said injuries had slowed his development, while noting he was healthy and had shown his ability during camp. The report also said Kaiden Guhle’s injury opened an opportunity for Reinbacher and that he played alongside Lane Hutson in a Kraft Hockeyville game in Trois-Rivières.
The situation has immediate implications for Montreal’s defensive depth. Matheson’s day-to-day status leaves the Canadiens managing their available defenders, while Dobson’s return during Tuesday’s game provided another option. Reinbacher’s recall adds cover, though the team has said he will not dress for the Washington game.
Montreal entered the matchup with a 3-2-1 record. Reinbacher’s previous NHL appearance for the club came last April, when he registered an assist in two games and played a combined 26:17.
The Canadiens are scheduled to face the Capitals at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
Source: sportsnet.ca
