Canadiens issue injury updates on several players

The Montreal Canadiens have been depleted with injuries for the majority of the season, but it progressively got worse as the months went by. Between injuries and COVID-19, the Canadiens were forced to play shorthanded on January 1st and had several games where they played with a roster that was significantly under the NHL's salary cap floor.

On Wednesday following practice, the Canadiens issued injury updates on quite a few players.

First starting with Carey Price, who hasn't played at all this season because he's been rehabbing his knee injury that required surgery last summer, and due to the time he spent in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Goaltending coach Eric Raymond told reporters on Wednesday that Price is working hard to come back this season and wants to play. He added that Price has been frustrated with the slow progress of his knee rehab. Part of the reason why its been so slow is due to the NHL's extended holiday break and the Canadiens' own COVID-19 shutdown.

"Habs goaltending coach Eric Raymond says Carey Price is working hard to come back and has been frustrated with slow progress of knee rehab. Was hoping to be back a couple months ago, but all signs are that he's progressing now. Wants to play," Sportsnet's Eric Engels said.

Habs goaltending coach Eric Raymond says Carey Price is working hard to come back and has been frustrated with slow progress of knee rehab. Was hoping to be back a couple months ago, but all signs are that he's progressing now. Wants to play.— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 26, 2022

Forwards Brendan Gallagher (lower-body) and Paul Byron (lower-body) were both at practice on Wednesday wearing no-contact jerseys. Head coach Dominique Ducharme said that the pair are in their final stages of rehab, but won't play Thursday against Anaheim. He mentioned that it's possible they return this weekend.

Same status for #Habs Byron.— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) January 26, 2022

Jonathan Drouin was injured during Montreal's game in Vegas and didn't play against Colorado or Minnesota, ultimately being placed on injured reserve a few days ago. Ducharme said that Drouin is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury.

Christian Dvorak is currently in concussion protocol after taking a hit to the head from Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon on Monday night. He didn't skate on Wednesday and there isn't a timeline for his return.

Joel Edmundson has yet to play this season due to a lower-body injury, and there continues to be no timeline for his return, although he has been working off-ice recently.

Finally, Cole Caufield and Joel Armia, who were placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol early last week are practicing in Wisconsin and will be eligible to return to Canada on January 28th. It's unclear if the pair will play on Saturday night against Edmonton.

The Canadiens will be back in action on Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks for their first home game since December 16th. Puck drop is set for 7pm ET on TSN2 and RDS.

#Habs Gallagher and Byron are in their final stages of rehabbing but there's no specific date for their returns.

Drouin — our indefinitely with an upper body injury.

Dvorak — following concussion protocol.@TSN_Edge
1/2— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) January 26, 2022

2/2 #Habs Price continuing rehab on his knee in the gym for the last few days. No timeline for his return to the ice.

Edmundson — working off-ice. No timeline for his return.

Armia & Caufield — on-ice work at Wisconsin University. They can return to Canada Jan 28.@TSN_Edge— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) January 26, 2022

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