All Habs Hockey Magazine is proud to provide a platform for young writers to express their views on important issues. Today, we present a fan piece on Canadiens injuries. Your comments are welcome.

by Dean Matheos, Junior Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

PIERREFONDS, QC. — Over the last few weeks the Canadiens injury list has been filling up. We’ve seen stars such as Carey Price and  Brendan Gallagher sidelined with injuries. We have also witnessed bottom six players like Devante Smith-Pelly and Torrey Mitchell lost due to injury. Their absence makes it more difficult for Michel Therrien to roll four lines as he prefers to do.

Carey Price originally injured himself after stepping on a puck during warmup in Edmonton. After just three games back he aggravated the injury against the Rangers. Was he rushed back too soon? The Canadiens say ‘no’ but it is curious that Mike Condon had begun to struggle in goal at the time.

It has been suggested that the Habs should be searching for additional goaltending help. I don’t share that view.  In my opinion the Habs have solid goaltending with Mike Condon for now. Condon has shown the ability that he can be the guy going forward.

And Dustin Tokarski, while he has struggled a little in the past, has put together two strong starts against the Red Wings and Senators.  He is a small goaltender who has something to prove. Tokarski is a fighter and that is what he is doing now that he has an opportunity.

Although the offence has been struggling it’s my opinion that the team lacks wingers who can produce. Gallagher not only is a player who is a scorer but also adds a net front presence that contributes to the success of the team. With Gallagher out and the departure of Alexander Semin the Canadiens are short of scoring punch on the right side. Sven Andrighetto has shown that he can contribute to the offense but he can’t do it alone.

For the bottom six, Torrey Mitchell has been cleared to play and should return to the lineup this week. It is unclear when we will see Devante Smith-Pelly. Those two alongside Brian Flynn, made up the fourth line that was very effective to start the year. Expect the trio when reunited to take on a greater load and eat up icetime.

Montreal has a team that competes hard and can still be at the top of the league. The lack of production is just temporary. Injuries are a part of the game, the Canadiens need to play through them. I believe that the Habs have enough weapons to get them through this tough time.