The Montreal Canadiens will be without rookie defenseman Kaiden Guhle for at least eight more weeks with a lower-body injury.
The team announced the news on Friday during a comprehensive medical check-up.
The Habs also said forward Brendan Gallagher will be out for at least two weeks, while forward Sean Monahan and defenseman Mike Matheson have about two more weeks of fitness. All three are struggling with lower body injuries.
Guhle was injured late in the December 29 game against the Florida Panthers. He fell under the weight of striker Aleksander Barkov and appeared to injure his leg.
In 36 games, the 20-year-old Albertan has two goals and 12 assists. Guhle averaged 20:46 per game, which ranks him third among NHL rookies this season.
In Gallagher’s case, he would be plagued by the same injury that sidelined him for 13 games in December. He returned to action on Dec. 29 against the Panthers, but looked pain in the next two games against the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators. He finally skipped his turn Thursday against the New York Rangers.
In 25 games this season, Gallagher has four goals and five assists.
For their part, Monahan and Matheson have already missed the Habs’ last 13 and eight games respectively. They started skating again before the regular group, but it will likely take some time to get back into shape.
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