Buffalo Sabres' Beck Malenstyn checks Canadiens defenceman David Reinbacher into the boards during the third period in Montreal on Oct. 17.
Buffalo Sabres' Beck Malenstyn checks Canadiens defenceman David Reinbacher into the boards during the third period in Montreal on Oct. 17. (Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette)
The Canadiens announced Wednesday that they have returned defenceman David Reinbacher and forward Owen Beck to the AHL’s Laval Rocket
Reinbacher, the No. 5 overall pick at the 2023 NHL Draft, only played one game with the Canadiens after being called up from Laval, logging 9:09 of ice time and finishing with a minus-1 differential in a 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Reinbacher was a healthy scratch for Tuesday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks at the Bell Centre in favour of Adam Engstrom.
“They’re here … we want them to get reps,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said before Tuesday night’s game about making Reinbacher a healthy scratch. “Rhino played a good game (against Buffalo). Has nothing to do with play. We just want to keep these guys moving.”
Engstrom has obviously moved ahead of Reinbacher on the Canadiens’ defence depth chart after being selected in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Engstrom has played five games with the Canadiens this season and has a plus-2 differential while still looking for his first point. He is averaging 11:24 of ice time per game.
Sending Reinbacher back to Laval probably means that defenceman Mike Matheson, who has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, is close to returning to the lineup.
The Canadiens had the day off Wednesday and will practise Thursday morning at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard before flying to Chicago, where they will face the Blackhawks Friday (8 p.m., TSN2, RDS) in the first of four straight road games.
After Friday’s game, the Canadiens will head to Winnipeg for the outdoor Heritage Classic game on Sunday (7 p.m., SN, TVA Sports). After that, the Canadiens will visit the St. Louis Blues next Tuesday (8 p.m., TSN2, RDS) and the Dallas Stars next Thursday (8 p.m., TSN2, RDS).
Beck had no points in two games with the Canadiens. His return to Laval probably means that forward Florian Xhekaj, who has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, is close to returning to the Canadiens’ lineup.
x.com/StuCowan1