In the 2023 NHL Draft, David Reinbacher was selected by the Montreal Canadiens as the fifth overall
Despite being a very high draft pick, the Canadiens were aware that he would not be joining them right away and that he would likely play in Switzerland for one more season. That is precisely what transpired when he was returned to EHC Kloten in the Swiss premier division for the current campaign.
Reinbacher’s club was not good enough to make it to the postseason at the end of the regular season. Now, the question is whether they have finished their season or if they still have a relegation series to play before their 2023–24 season can be formally over.
Their fate will be revealed to us later today. Though rather unusual, the situation has significant implications for the Canadiens’ future. His Kloten squad could be demoted to the Swiss League, Switzerland’s tier 2 professional league, after finishing second last in the National League rankings.
All Swiss league teams are not, however, granted promotion to the top division. Actually, only two teams—Visp and Olten—applied and were granted permission to potentially advance to the next season. These clubs would need to win their Swiss league playoffs in order to advance to the top league.
However, Visp has already lost in the semifinals. They play Game 7 of their semifinal series today, but Olten is still alive. Reinbacher’s Swiss season ends if they lose, and he can sign with the Laval Rocket right away.
Reinbacher’s Kloten club would have to play a Best-of-7 relegation series, which would take roughly two weeks, and his North American debut would be postponed until late March or perhaps early April if the series goes the distance if Olten wins today and advances to the Swiss league championship.
