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Canadiens Recall Four Prospects as Black Aces for Sabres Series

The recalls underscore playoff insurance from a rising prospect pipeline.

Overview

  • Montreal recalled Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Adam Engström and David Reinbacher on Monday after AHL Laval’s season ended in a Game 5 loss to the Toronto Marlies.
  • The quartet joins as black aces, which means they practice with the NHL club and serve as injury insurance during the second-round series against Buffalo, where Montreal leads 2-1 with Game 4 Tuesday in Montreal.
  • Team reports indicate the players are unlikely to dress unless injuries strike, so the move adds depth without changing coach Martin St. Louis’s current lineup.
  • Engström is viewed as most NHL-ready after a 10-goal, 34-point run in 45 AHL games and 15 NHL appearances this season.
  • Reinbacher was recalled despite missing Laval’s final game with an undisclosed injury, following an encouraging AHL season with 24 points and a plus-18 rating in 57 games.