David Reinbacher Injury Update: Canadiens defenseman will be sidelined for months following knee surgery

By Evan Bell

Modified Oct 01, 2024 17:26 GMT

The Montreal Canadiens released an update on budding young defenseman David Reinbacher on Tuesday morning, revealing that the 19-year-old underwent surgery. Last week, in the Canadiens' preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs that also saw Patrik Laine go down with a knee injury, David Reinbacher suffered a knee injury as well.

Following the open ice hit sustained by Reinbacher in Saturday's preseason showdown, the former No. 5 pick in the 2023 draft was forced to undergo surgery Tuesday morning. According to a statement released by the team, Reinbacher is expected to be sidelined for the next five to six months.

Although the extent of the injury sustained by Dvaid Reinbacher is unknown, the timeline given by the team means Reinbacher could return sometime in March or April.

Given that by then the season will be nearly over, with the Habs playing their final game of the regular season on April 16, it is a devastating blow for the team along with the injury sustained by Patrik Laine.

Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis opens up on how the team has dealt with injuries to Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher

Heading into the season, the Montreal Canadiens were optimistic about the season ahead. Despite finishing last year with the worst record in the Atlantic Division (30-36-16), the team was entering the season with a young core with a point to prove.

Given that, and the injuries that shaped their 2023-24 season, the injuries to Laine and Reinbacher have been viewed as devastating by many fans. As coach Martin St. Louis said in a statement to NHL.com, the rest of the team is doing its best to trudge on:

“I think the guys have high enthusiasm since the beginning of camp and I know the unfortunate situation the last game you would think that it would bring that down, but I think our group has been very good at controlling what they can and moving on.

"And I think we’ve done that without necessarily, like, not worrying about ‘Patty’ and Reinbacher. Obviously we care for them, but I think the group has an attitude of just, ‘Let’s keep going boys,’ and it starts with your mindset and your attitude and the boys have had great enthusiasm.”

So far, there has been no word on Laine's knee injury or if he will be out for some time. In the event that he winds up sidelined for months like David Reinbacher, Habs fans could likely be in for a long season ahead.