Habs Daily: Reinbacher’s Potential, Goalies, Xhekaj, Risky Draft

All the latest Habs news, recent Montreal Canadiens stories, as well as information from around the National Hockey League.

Habs News

• Take a closer look at what 5th overall pick David Reinbacher will bring to the table for the Canadiens, including some very interesting statistics from his time in the NLA.  [Scouting Report: David Reinbacher’s Impressive Potential]
• The Canadiens went way off the board at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, showing confidence in their development team. It’s a risky approach for Kent Hughes and the team, who need this year’s Draft to pay off if they’re to continue building a strong foundation. [Canadiens Play Risky Draft Game]
• The Habs added three goaltenders to their prospect pool, including Boston College commit Jacob Fowler. [Canadiens Draft Fowler 69th]
• It’s official, the Montreal Canadiens now have a pair of Xhekajs in their system. Arber’s brother, Florian, was chosen by the Habs with the 101st overall pick. [Canadiens Draft Florian 101st]
• The Canadiens opted to pick two overage players during Day 2 of the draft, including KHL defenceman Bogdan Konyushkov. [Canadiens Draft Konyushkov 110th]
• Quebec Remparts backup Quentin Miller was the second goalie to be drafted by the Canadiens. [Canadiens Draft Miller 128th]
• Unranked prospect Sam Harris, who earned 30 goals and 26 assists in 56 games in the USHL last season, was picked 133rd overall.[Reinbacher Contract Options]
• MHL goaltender Yevgeni Volokhin compelted the goaltender draft-trick. [Canadiens Draft Yevgeni Volokhin 144th]
• Filip Eriksson, a centre developing with the Vaxio Lakers, also joined the fold. [Canadiens Draft Eriksson 165th]
• The Montreal Canadiens may have made their best value decision with their final pick, choosing overage defenceman Luke Mittelstadt [Canadiens Draft Mittelstadt 197th]

National Hockey Now Network

• Frank Seravalli reported that the Vancouver Canucks might try to dump Tyler Myers’s contract on the Sharks. [San Jose]
• Boston Bruins forward David Krejci may return to the Czech Extraliga. [Boston Bruins]
• Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman opted to turn his two first-rounders and three second-rounders into draft picks rather than use them as bargaining chips in major trades. [Detroit Red Wings]
• Chris MacFarland has made some moves to change the makeup of the team down the middle. The NHL Draft is complete. And in less than 48 hours, all the unrestricted free agents around the NHL hit the market. [Colorado Avalanche]
• Despite his best efforts, Nashville Predators’ incoming general manager Barry Trotz couldn’t steamroll his way into the top five of the 2023 NHL Draft. Sources confirm Nashville was interested in acquiring the Canadiens’ 5th overall pick.[Nashville Predators]
• The Philadelphia Flyers drafted another son of an NHL player Thursday — and this time it’s the son of a former Flyer, Mike Knuble. [Philadelphia Flyers]
• The Pittsburgh Penguins got a steal or a reach, depending on your preferred draft service, in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
• The Golden Knights made two big moves on Wednesday. Forward and original misfit, Reilly Smith, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2024 third-round draft pick. Moments after the Smith trade was announced, it was announced that Ivan Barbashev was extended for five years at $5 million per year. [Vegas Golden Knights]