Nine for Nine: Will the Red Wings Draft David Reinbacher?

Before the NHL draft on June 28-29, Detroit Hockey Now will review nine different players who have a chance to be selected ninth overall by the Detroit Red Wings. Today’s seventh installment looks at Swiss League defenseman David Reinbacher

David Reinbacher

Position: Defenseman; Hgt./Wgt: 6-2/190

Playing style: Projects to be top-pairing defenseman at the NHL level.

NHL Central Scouting Ranking: Fifth among international prospects.

Country: Austria

League: Swiss National League

Scouting Report

The young Austrian is already playing impressively in the Swiss League. He’s a first-rate skater with a well-rounded game.  Reinbacher has exceptional instincts for positioning and making the right play. He’s a solid passer, and can handle power play duties. His shot needs improvement. But you can see he is going to be effective power play performer. He has considerable poise as a defender. He has a very active stick. Opposing forwards struggle to move past him with the puck. He is also a right-shot defenseman and everyone in hockey knows the value of right shot D man in the NHL today. He’s not a big hitter, but could end up becoming more physical as he matures.

Why the Red Wings Might Select Him

The Red Wings are building one of the NHL’s better young defensive groups. Bringing in another elite right-shot defender fits into the team’s defensive strategy. They are short on right defenders. Moritz Seider is the only proven right-shot defenseman on the team. In theory, the Red Wings could consider trading one of their left-shot defensemen, such as William Wallinder, for a young scoring forward. Reinbacher put up 22 points in 42 games for Kloten this season.   Reinbacher is going to fill out, and get stronger.  Without question, he’s the best all-around defenseman in this draft class.

Why the Red Wings Might Not Select Him

He’s rated in the neighborhood of where the Red Wings are picking. However, there seems to be a general consensus that he will go somewhere in the sixth through eighth pick. The Washington Capitals supposedly would have considerable interest him if he was available at No. 8.