Montreal Canadiens News | Habs Optimistic Despite Injuries to Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin That May Keep Them Out Six to Eight Weeks

Jonathan Drouin, Paul Byron (Photo by TVA Sports)

MONTREAL, QC. — On Monday morning, Claude Julien announced that forwards Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron will be out of the Canadiens lineup indefinitely. Drouin had wrist surgery on Monday and Byron will undergo knee surgery on Tuesday.

Drouin was demolished by Alex Ovechkin in the second period of Saturday’s game against the Capitals. But the Habs forward returned to the game in the third period and it was then that he suffered the wrist injury report Canadiens officials.

Byron suffered his knee injury in the Capitals game also, as he hobbled to the bench late in the third period.

Drouin’s agent tweeted that his client will be sidelined eight weeks. Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said that the team would be without Byron for four to six weeks and Drouin for six to eight weeks.

The injury to Drouin as he was off to a pretty good start to the season as he is tied for fourth in team scoring. Since his promotion to the top six, Drouin’s production has fallen off, managing just one assist in the month of November, playing five-one-five.

This season has been a struggle so far for Byron. The 30-year-old winger has just four points in 19 games so far in 2019-’20.

Max Domi chimed in on the bad news saying, “It’s a tough pill to swallow, but other guys have to step up. There’s no doubt in my mind. We all know we have the character in here for guys to step up. When someone goes down, it’s an opportunity for someone else. With the depth we have, it’s an opportunity for some guys to prove some stuff here. It’s not great, but it’s not the end of the world.”

For now, Charles Hudon is the only player recalled from Laval. Hudon was in the lineup against the Capitals on the fourth line and was in that same spot for practice on Monday. The Alma, Quebec forward has nine goals in 17 games with the Rocket this season.

The Montreal Canadiens are in Columbus to face the Blue Jackets with Carey Price getting the start in goal. After Tuesday’s game the Habs will fly home to face the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night.