The first news at the Canadiens’ camp was not comforting, the Montreal team having indicated that eight players were bothered by injuries, including the new captain, Nick Suzuki, and his assistant, Joel Edmundson.
The Habs said Suzuki will be sidelined for two weeks with a lower body injury. If all goes well, the striker should therefore be ready in time for the start of the season, on October 12 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The situation is less encouraging for Edmundson. The Manitoba defenseman is officially injured in the lower body and the length of his absence is indefinite.
Edmundson also missed the Canadiens camp last year due to a back injury. He finally played his first match on March 12.
In a radio interview on the TSN690 network, the Canadiens’ vice-president of hockey operations, Jeff Gorton, confirmed Thursday evening that Edmundson was bothered by the same back problem.
Gorton said Suzuki and Edmundson were injured in a practice collision earlier this week.
“I know he feels better today than yesterday. Hopefully it will be short term,” Gorton said of Edmundson, admitting the situation was frustrating.
“I don’t know the severity of the injury, but I hope it’s minor and he’ll be back soon,” said forward Brendan Gallagher, Suzuki’s other assistant, of Edmundson. After what he went through last year, being back in the same situation is a shame. »
“He’s an important part of our team and our dressing room,” added Gallagher.
As for them, forwards Josh Anderson and Jake Evans have upper body injuries and their condition will be reassessed on a daily basis.
Forward Sean Monahan continues his rehabilitation after undergoing hip surgery last spring.
The other three players on the sidelines are no surprises. They are goalkeeper Carey Price (knee), defender Logan Mailloux (shoulder) and forward Paul Byron (hip).
Monahan and Evans, however, participated in the physical tests on the ice at the Bell Sports Complex on Thursday.
Another open position?
The positions available were already numerous in defense with the Canadiens before we knew that Edmundson was injured. Now four positions could go to rookies if the 2019 Stanley Cup holder, with the St. Louis Blues, is not reinstated in time for the start of the season.
There are many candidates for these positions: Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Justin Barron, Arber Xhekaj, and Corey Schueneman, in particular.
“When you’re young, you need confidence,” said Michael Matheson, one of three healthy defensemen at the Canadiens with more than 200 games of NHL experience. “I will help them in this chapter. They are there for a reason. They have talent. »
“In Midget AAA and in college, I was a captain,” added the 28-year-old Quebecer. I knew this role, but not with the pros. I’m not a captain here, but it’s important for me to talk to young people and help them. »
In addition to supporting young people well, the responsibilities of Matheson, David Savard and Chris Wideman will be more important.
Savard averaged just over 20 minutes per game last season with the Canadiens. Matheson hasn’t had that much responsibility since 2018-19, when he played for the Florida Panthers. For his part, Wideman averaged 14:53 per game for the Canadiens last winter, a personal high.
They will work under a new defender coach in Stéphane Robidas.
“I’m having fun getting to know him,” Wideman said of Robidas. I knew Matheson a little. I believe that our mentality will be to work as a group. And the best way to do that is by putting as much effort into your work as possible while leaning on each other. »
“We all have unique qualities. We will try to help each other,” he continued.
The challenge will be important for the defensive group, especially if Edmundson’s absence is prolonged.
“It won’t be perfect every night, but these kids will have an opportunity that few players are lucky enough to have,” Gallagher said. They will be able to play big minutes, have appearances against Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. They will have to be ready. »
“It’s the NHL and if you’re there, you’re expected to do the job. These young people will not be placed in this situation if we believe that they are not ready. So you have to push them and help them be ready when the opportunity comes,” concluded Gallagher.