David Reinbacher is far from having made a good impression at the Combine

PUBLICATION

Elias Edmonson
June 12, 2023 (1:46 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

During the last week, NHL hopefuls for the 2023 draft have been trying to impress teams with their physical skills, but also to charm the scouts with their personalities, during lengthy interviews.

The future talents of the National League also had the task of discussing with journalists on site, in order to answer direct questions about their experience, but also to familiarize themselves with the media present.

The excellent Anthony Martineau was on site, in Buffalo, to cover the entirety of the event and he spoke with several young players who could become future selections for the Montreal Canadiens.

Speaking of potential choices for the organization, everyone is wondering what the team's top brass will do with their 5th overall selection, especially if Matvei Michkov is still available at that ranking.

One of the names circulating through the grapevine is that of defender David Reinbacher. Even though he is not an elite player, given that the Habs lack top offensive talent, as per what is being said in the NHL's backrooms, the Austrian defender could become Kent Hughes' choice.

However, as Martineau has recounted, the latter did not appear to do very well at the Combine, as he did not leave a very good overall impression. In addition to stating that he did not expect to be picked in the top-10 of the draft, which shows a certain lack of confidence in himself, the TVA Sports journalist was really not convinced by him.

"I was not at all charmed by my interview with David Reinbacher. Personally, I found him very soft-spoken, not very articulate, not very committed, he walks into the room, it's a big sigh. I asked him if he sees himself as a potential number one defender in the NHL, his answer is: 'it's very difficult for me to comment on that, I've never played in the NHL.' I asked him: do you see yourself being drafted in the top-10 of the next draft, David? 'No, I would be surprised.' The moment you don't want to sell yourself in an interview, I'm obliged to tell you that it might be a bit complicated to convince teams in the National Hockey League" - Anthony Martineau

Martineau warned us that he may have been nervous, tired, or shy during his interview, but at the same time, he's seen many young players during this long week, it's not his first Combine he's covered, and it's one of the first, if not the first time, he mentions not being really charmed by a player.

In the view that the Canadiens could lean towards him with their 5th overall choice, given that he doesn't already have unanimous support due to the reasons mentioned above, it becomes increasingly incomprehensible that he could really be considered by Montreal's management.