Austrian draft prospect David Reinbacher could be the blueliner of Calgary’s dreams

David Reinbacher has flown up the charts since the beginning of the season accumulating 22 points in 46 games with EHC Kloten. He is an intriguing right-handed defenseman in a draft that lacks defensive star power and provides a very projectable toolbox as a middle-pairing defenseman with powerplay ability. Reinbacher doesn’t have elite skating or passing ability but he is super efficient in both aspects. He processes the game well and uses his edgework in tight spaces to shift into better positions or can find lanes quickly with his good playmaking ability. His shot and shot selection stand out as a key component in his offensive potential and could be his ticket to quarterbacking a power play at the pro level.

He is defensively responsible with great awareness and solid off-puck reads. Reinbacher can move bodies in front but he still needs to learn how to leverage his big frame during board play and one-on-one battles for puck possession. He looks like a defenceman who has a high defensive IQ and will improve with specific skill training at the higher level. What he lacks is dynamism. He is a solid top-4 projectable D man but is missing those elite qualities to be considered in the top-10. With that being said, he has the potential to be a staple for any team in the top-4 and has the aptitude to improve tremendously in all parts of his game (much like he did this season).

David Reinbacher has had almost an unprecedented season at this high professional level by an draft eligible defenseman. He is big, strong, a good skater, and can play under pressure. He is a complete two-way defenseman with many above-average tools. He is a good skater, particularly for his size, as he moves noticeably easily on the ice and also has quick feet and four-way skating ability — which allows him to play aggressively on the offensive blue line, pinching, and keeping the possession with his long stick. Reinbacher scans in all-directions before retrieving the puck, understands the way of the pressure immediately, and makes the right play more often than not. Whether it is taking a hit, shielding the puck with his body allowing his teammate to come and collect the puck, or make a quick pass or to hold the puck and give his teammates time to adjust. He is very calm under pressure. He sees the ice well and makes very good passes. Reinbacher has a strong shot. He finds or create seams to be able to get the puck to the net. Defensively, Reinbacher has a strong gap control. On the rush, he makes it very difficult for the attacker to beat him wide or to access the triangle between his legs and stick. In the defensive zone he is tough to play against, as he defends actively with his stick and body to hold the play to the outside. I would, however, like to see him strip attackers of the puck more often. Reinbacher is strong on the puck but his puck skills are not elite in my opinion, and he mishandles the puck or executes a bad pass on occasions. He flashed great plays in the offensive zone but they do not come often at this level. Reinbacher is a big, two-way defender who competes hard at both ends of the ice. He has enough skills and smartness to play big minutes in the NHL. If a team believes he will develop into a No. 1 defenseman he may be gone as soon as in the top-10. Right now I personally see Reinbacher in top-20 of the 2023 draft.