The COVID outbreak that decimated the ranks of the Canadiens did not only have perverse effects on the players who were affected. Indirectly, it had repercussions on the rehabilitation of some injured people. Topping the list is Carey Price.
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A month ago, the Canadiens goalie seemed to be taking the steps leading him to a return at an increasingly sustained pace. Moreover, Price was to take advantage of the trip of three games planned in the New York region, just before Christmas, to meet doctors and specialists. A meeting which, in the end, never took place.
As a result, Price, who had started receiving shots from Paul Byron (also injured) and the team’s therapist, has not put on his skates or pads since mid-December.
“He continues to follow his treatments,” said Ducharme. It was our first day at the training center and our therapists had to do several evaluations with several players. ”
At the time of meeting the press, the Canadiens head coach therefore did not have all the data in hand to make a full update.
One thing is certain. This inactivity of nearly a month inevitably pushes back the date of a possible return. Return that Price wanted to make in time to participate in the Olympic tournament which will begin on February 9 (without the presence of the NHL players). Ducharme still hopes to see him in uniform again by the end of the season.
“Nobody told me that Carey didn’t have a chance (to play) this year,” he said. It is certain that the training time that we lost with the break did not help. We couldn’t even come here. It’s training and therapy time that he and some of the other players haven’t had because of this situation. “
Among these “other players”, let us note Brendan Gallagher, absent during the last game due to a lower body injury.
“He looks better, but he still has a way to go,” said the Joliettain.
End of the break
Forced into inactivity by the Bettman circuit authorities due to the massive outbreak of COVID within his troop, Ducharme was able to lead a first training session since the match on January 1.
It is a formation much more representative of what it is in normal times which presented itself on the ice of the sports complex of Brossard.
“We think that the most difficult is over,” said Ducharme.
In all, 18 players and three goalkeepers loosened their legs for this first day of what Ducharme has agreed to call a mini-training camp.
Of the 24 Canadiens players who found themselves on the COVID protocol, only Jesse Ylonen, Raphaël Harvey-Pinard, Cameron Hillis, Michael Pezzettta, Alex Belzile and Kale Clague remain.
Some of the returned skaters, who are in the United States, were still conspicuous by their absence. From that group, Jeff Petry will return to Montreal on Monday and take part in training on Tuesday.
Six others (Alexander Romanov, Jake Evans, Brandon Baddock, Louie Belpedio, Cayden Primeau and Gianni Fairbrother), tested positive while the team were in the United States, will join the team in Boston.
Four doubtful cases
For their part, Josh Anderson (upper body), Joel Armia (unknown), Christian Dvorak (lower body) and Mike Hoffman (unknown) took part in the training wearing a sweater signifying that they were exempt from any contact. Their case is assessed on a daily basis.
“We do not yet know if they will be in the game in Boston. But, they are getting closer to a return to the game. “
Injured in one hand, Tyler Toffoli trained alone after his teammates.
- At the start of the day, the Canadian recalled Jean-Sébastien Dea. The 27-year-old forward has been placed on the reserve squad. Dea was the last healthy player with an NHL contract (Xavier Ouellet has a lower body injury) not to have been recalled by the big club.
They were present at training
Guardians:
Allen
McNiven
Montembeault
Defenders:
Chiarot
Niku
Savard
Schueneman
Wideman
Forwards:
* Anderson
* Armia
Caufield
Dolphin
Dea
Drouin
* Dvorak
* Hoffman
Lehkonen
Package
Poehling
Suzuki
** Toffoli
Vejdemo
* They wore non-contact sweaters
** Alone