:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29609963/20140126_kkt_bb5_390.0.jpg)
After suffering a fractured hand vs the Leafs on Saturday, the Canadiens are reporting that Gorges will leave the team and head back to Montreal for further evaluation.
Medical update - Josh Gorges - hand injury - is returning to Montreal today - will be reevaluated by team doctors.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 6, 2014
The initial X-ray revealed a fractured hand, meaning he'll likely miss at least two weeks of action.
#Habs Gorges had X-rays after last night's game vs #NHLDucks, @985Sports reports. Hand fracture was discovered #HabsIO
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) March 6, 2014
Gorges as we know, is the ultimate warrior, playing a week's worth of hockey with a mangled hand. Although Stubbs and McGuire might have the Penguins game and the Leafs game mixed up:
Via @mmcguirehockey just now: #Habs Gorges suffered fractured hand vs #Pens, might be forced to miss time. Played 21:28 last night #HabsIO
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) March 6, 2014
I too would probably need some time off if a piece of rubber made my hand explode:
@Dave_Stubbs I don't know if it's a new injury, but this was Gorges' hand after blocking a shot on Sat night pic.twitter.com/B25uJ10aHv
— Brian McIntyre (@brian_mcintyre) March 6, 2014
This means that Michel Therrien will be forced to shuffle his defensive pairings. The Mike Weaver acquisition is quite timely, as he could definitely slot into the top 4 and do a decent job replacing Gorges.
The defensive pairings could end up looking like this for the next few games:
Markov - Subban
Emelin - Weaver
Murray - Tinordi.
Although Michel Therrien might go in another direction and slot Emelin with Markov, or even Douglas Murray on the top pairing (yikes).