David Reinbacher has failed to make the Canadiens' opening night roster again, and the questions about the fifth overall pick are getting louder.
High Slot Hockey noted that it's been three seasons since he was drafted, and that he missed the cut even with a regular on the blue line hurt.
"Is he officially in bust territory or is it too early to give up on him given his tough luck with injuries?" the account asked.
It stings more because of how camp went. Marqueur.com described his camp as excellent, the kind that makes these decisions hard.
In his final preseason game, he logged 19:09 in Ottawa and finished plus-1, though he also took four penalty minutes and didn't record a shot.
He was one of four young players, along with Adam Engström, Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj, competing for spots before the roster deadline.
So is it time to worry?
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Is It Time for Canadiens Fans to Panic About David Reinbacher?
No, and anyone calling him a bust is jumping the gun. Three seasons is nothing for a defenseman, especially one whose development has been interrupted by injuries.
Judging a young defenseman this early is like judging a steak halfway through the grill. Pull it too soon and you're going to hate the result.
Engström, meanwhile, led every Montreal skater with 23:54 in that same game in Ottawa.
Martin St-Louis had also praised Xhekaj's consistency throughout camp, pointing to how noticeable he was every time out.
The Canadiens already carry Noah Dobson at $9,500,000, seventh among NHL defensemen in cap hit.
Michael Matheson logged 26:02 in the other half of Saturday's doubleheader before drawing a $5,000 fine for roughing.
The Canadiens went 4-1-0 this preseason and open Tuesday in Toronto.
Darren Dreger also believes Kent Hughes may have a trade up his sleeve, which could reshuffle the blue line all over again before Tuesday.
The door isn't closed on Reinbacher. But every opening night he watches from somewhere else makes the next one feel a lot more urgent.
Is it too early to call David Reinbacher a bust?
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