Blockbuster Trade Involving David Reinbacher: Kent Hughes Has the Opportunity to Fix the Mistake He Made at the 2023 Draft

While some, including the Tricolore's management, see the Austrian as a potential elite defenseman, others believe he may be limited to being a third-pairing defenseman.

This difference in perspectives suggests a significant variation in potential outcomes.

Given the depth of defensive talent at the CH and the presence of several promising young players in this position, if Reinbacher doesn't reach the level of a top defenseman, he could become an interchangeable piece in the defensive brigade.

With players like Kaiden Guhle, Logan Mailloux, Arber Xhekaj, Lane Hutson, Justin Barron, Jayden Struble, Jordan Harris, Adam Engstrom, and Reinbacher, it's clear that not all can play in Montreal.

A major trade seems inevitable to capitalize on this abundance of talent and address the team's major weakness: a lack of offensive firepower.

Reinbacher's arrival has exacerbated this imbalance, as the Tricolore lacks a top-tier offensive prospect, and the pipeline for the Canadiens' top-6 seems thin.

To address this crucial need, journalist Brian Wilde suggested an unexpected trade possibility: Kent Hughes could consider trading David Reinbacher at the next draft to acquire a quality offensive player.

While Reinbacher is a promising prospect, sometimes sacrifices are necessary for significant returns, and he could fetch a high price for the Canadiens.

If the club could potentially select in the top-10 of the next draft, and if Hughes can also transform Reinbacher into a promising young offensive talent, the club would suddenly have two jewels to aid its attack.

However, such trades carry notable risks. Past trades involving young players with high potential, like Mikhail Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin or Ryan McDonagh for Scott Gomez, come to mind.

Hughes is aware of his team's current shortcomings. He will need to act during the summer of 2024 to strengthen his organization, whether through the draft, trades, or recruiting free agents.

Yet, it's important to note that currently, sacrificing Reinbacher, especially given his position as a right-handed defenseman, is a solution with its own set of risks.

Credit: DLC