The Montreal Canadiens were dealt the dreaded injury blow before the preseason even began this year, with Kaiden Guhle set to miss up to five weeks due to an adductor issue. As disappointing as that was to hear, it created an interesting storyline for their camp, as the team would have to figure out who will step up and take some or all of the minutes that he’s usually entrusted with. Four players have been vying for those minutes; Arber Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, Jayden Struble, and David Reinbacher.
Only one of them found the back of the net last night, but he might not be on the inside track at this stage.
Good forecheck from Florian Xhekaj creates a chance for Struble and he cashes it. pic.twitter.com/iQWF8aemgT
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) September 21, 2026
Struble chipped in with the nice shot shown above, but the pairing of he and Xhekaj have been underwhelming to say the least. They have brought physicality, which is something Martin St-Louis has noted, but of particular concern would be their defensive zone coverage, which has been problematic. If you had to pick the lineup without seeing any preseason games, they would be the most common names you’d see penciled in as the bottom pair, but through the games against the Leafs and Senators, they haven’t been the most impressive.
That title is reserved for Reinbacher, who doesn’t bring a lot of flash in his minutes, but has looked the most poised of any defenceman involved in this position battle. Against the Senators last night, he turned numerous plays where the visitors looked like they were about to make something happen completely around, taking possession and making quick outlet passes that sent the Habs up ice with speed. If you just look at the score sheet, you might be tempted to look at other names. If you look at what is happening particularly in the defensive zone, Reinbacher is impossible to ignore.
The reality is that, with Guhle out, two of these players should be on the roster for opening night. So it isn’t a position battle in the purest sense where only one spot can be had, but it would bhe hard to argue that Reinbacher isn’t leading the pack if the team is operating as a meritocracy. It looks like he might get his shot, and what happens between the beginning of the season and Kaiden Guhle returning could completely change the landscape on the Habs blue line. If he’s still the best of the bunch when the defensive corps is fully healthy, the other three might have a hard time finding minutes.
There is still a split-squad against the Senators to deal with this weekend, so nothing is set in stone yet. If I were any of those four defencemen, I would play my minutes in either game as if my season depends on it, because it just might.
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