The Montreal Canadiens’ fanbase is buzzing once again, and this time, the focus is squarely on one of the team’s most talked-about prospects: David Reinbacher.

Ever since the Canadiens selected Reinbacher fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft—passing over the highly-touted Matvei Michkov—debate has raged across social media and hockey circles in Montreal. Now, with Reinbacher’s future suddenly at the center of swirling trade rumors, the passion and anxiety among fans have reached a fever pitch.

As the new season approaches, Reinbacher faces not only the pressure of living up to his high draft status but also the weight of history. Memories of the infamous Sergachev-for-Drouin trade still haunt Canadiens supporters, and recent social media polls reveal just how deeply those wounds run.

With one simple question, fans were forced to confront their fears: Would they risk trading away Reinbacher for immediate help at center, or is he simply too valuable to let go?

What exactly are fans saying, and why has this debate become so heated? The answer goes beyond statistics and highlights, touching on loyalty, regret, and the lessons of the past. The full story behind this passionate reaction may surprise you—read on to uncover the details.

Montreal Canadiens prospect David Reinbacher

Photo credit: The Hockey News

In June 2023, Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens’ management selected David Reinbacher 5th overall, ahead of Matvei Michkov.

On social media, Tricolore fans have just sent a powerful message regarding the young defenseman.

The Canadiens’ decision to select David Reinbacher ahead of Matvei Michkov has never been unanimous since June 2023.

The Russian forward, who now plays with the Philadelphia Flyers, was clearly the favorite choice of hockey fans in la belle province, and many expected Kent Hughes to call his name at the podium.

In his rookie NHL season in 2024-25, Michkov was impressive with 26 goals and 63 points in 80 games. He is destined for a brilliant future in the big league and will be a very important piece for the Flyers.

Unfortunately for Montreal, Reinbacher quickly suffered a major injury and has missed a huge amount of hockey since the draft. The defenseman has still not played his first game with the big club and went down to Laval to join the Rocket in the AHL toward the end of last season.

The upcoming season will therefore be very important for the Austrian, and there is hope he will stay away from the infirmary.

With the departure of Logan Mailloux on defense, who was traded to the St. Louis Blues for Zachary Bolduc, the Rocket will badly need his services in 2025-26 and, barring a surprise, a full season in Laval will be beneficial for him.

Montreal Canadiens Fans Do Not Want to Trade David Reinbacher for One Very Specific Reason

On June 15, 2017, Marc Bergevin made one of his worst moves with the Montreal organization when he sent Mikhail Sergachev to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Jonathan Drouin.

This trade left Canadiens fans deeply scarred, and they have just proven it again on social media.

On Facebook, 25CH asked fans if they would sacrifice David Reinbacher to acquire a second-line center, and the answers were generally quite clear: absolutely not. Fans refuse to part with Reinbacher and repeat the same mistake made with Sergachev. What do you think?

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