The Canadiens host the Devils on Saturday night, in what will be Joel Edmundson’s sixth game since returning to the game.
If there was one comeback that was closely watched, it was his. Candidate for a transaction, he had finally been able to play a single match before the deadline, which was, let’s agree, a very small sample to convince an opposing GM to offer a high draft pick for his services. Edmundson is bothered by a back injury that seems to have been recurring for several months.
On paper, the return of the great defender is going smoothly. In five games, he shows a differential of +3, even though the team lost the five games in question (including two in shootouts). At 5-5, the Canadiens lead 20-17 in high-quality scoring chances when Edmundson is on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick.
After a few matches, the cardio and the energy are back.
Joel Edmundson
The data that attracts the most attention, however, is the time of use, which amounts to 17 min 21 s on average. Prior to his most recent injury on January 26, he averaged 20:18 per game. The difference of three minutes is not insignificant.
In recent weeks, colleagues from Sportsnet and The Athletic have suggested that the Canadiens have begun an injury management review, due to the staggering number of cripples and players who made short returns to the game, before get hurt again.
Are the decreasing minutes of use precisely a way of “managing” one’s return to the game to prevent a new injury?
” Not really. Sometimes it’s the circumstances. Matheson played 32 minutes [jeudi]so others are playing less,” St-Louis responded Friday.
The fact that Edmundson took part in the very optional exercise on Saturday morning, however, suggests that health is holding up for the moment.
“I don’t really think about it, I’m just trying to do my part,” Edmundson replied after the session. I don’t care if I play 12 or 25 minutes, as long as I help the team. I don’t think it’s to gradually reintegrate, that’s just how it works right now.
“I always talk to the trainers, I go to the table [de massage], I try to be as relaxed as possible. They’re here for a reason and they’re trying to help me feel the best I can. »
A convincing end to the season from Edmundson would obviously give Kent Hughes a boost this summer, if the latter wants to give opportunities to the youngsters. Edmundson’s contract, worth $3.5 million per year, is good until the summer of 2024. For a player experienced in the playoffs and described as a great unifier by his teammates, the market could be interesting.
In a healthy brigade, Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle occupy the first two positions on the left. If Edmundson is there, it complicates the task for Arber Xhekaj and Jordan Harris, who are either excluded from the training or moved to the right. As these two rookie defenders are currently injured, the problem is postponed, but it will be very real next fall if all these beautiful people are still in place.
Before getting there, however, the team must play the last 17 games of the season, starting with this visit from the Devils. Another tough opponent awaits the Habs on Saturday night, which suits St. Louis well.
“They’re very quick,” said the head coach. The puck travels fast, much like Carolina, but the Devils do it more by controlling it. It’s a challenge, but I’m happy that we’re playing against good teams. We don’t have an easy schedule, but it’s ‘fun’ when it’s ‘tough’, it helps us to be focused and improve. »
Dach on skates
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Kirby Dash
In addition, Kirby Dach put on the skates on Saturday morning, for about twenty minutes. According to the team, this is the forward’s first time on the ice since his injury. He has not played since February 14 and Thursday evening, the CH was still talking about an indefinite absence.