Montreal Canadiens organizational injury report

It was largely seen as a depth move when Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin signed undrafted free agent Ryan Johnston to a two-year two-way deal after impressing the team brass during this past summer’s development camp. However the speedy defender continued to impress during the rookie tournament in September and suddenly there was a buzz about the young defender fighting for a spot on the Habs roster.

But as fast as his star was rising, it all came crashing down just as fast. After playing a few preseason games, Johnston was suddenly made a scratch for the remainder of the preseason before being part of the first wave of cuts to the AHL IceCaps.

When the AHL preseason started he was listed as injured, but the severity of the injury wasn’t know until a few weeks later when it was revealed that he had back surgery in early October on a herniated disc that was affecting the strength in his leg. The surgery in effect put him on the shelf for an extended period of time, with the expected recovery time for this type of surgery (L5-S1) being four months before physical exertion can begin.

A few weeks ago Sylvain Lefebvre was mentioned as saying that Johnston will be returning to the IceCaps mid-January, which is great news for the player, placing him right on track with the anticipated recovery window, not to mention the organization who have been weathering a storm of injuries and call-ups that have depleted their roster.

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Returned from injury:

Torrey Mitchell (C, NHL) suffered a lower-body injury against the Coyotes on November 19th when he fell to the ice awkwardly. He returned on December 15th.

Jeff Petry (D, NHL) was injured on December 19th against Dallas when he took a solid bodycheck from Jamie Benn. He was listed day-to-day, and missed two games.

Zack Kassian (RW, NHL) suffered a broken foot and nose in an early morning accident on October 4th, and subsequently entered the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioural Health Program. As a result he was suspended by the Montreal Canadiens but was activated on December 15th, cleared waivers, and assigned to the St. John’s IceCaps. After being told not to report to the IceCaps, he was traded on December 27th to Edmonton for goalie Ben Scrivens.

Devante Smith-Pelly (RW, NHL) was out with a lower body injury. Has since returned to the lineup.

Michael Bournival (LW, AHL) returned to action on December 11th, after a long recovery from post-concussion symptoms. He cleared waivers and was assigned to the St. John’s IceCaps.

Mark Barberio (D, AHL) blocked a shot in the third period of the game on November 27, and missed three games, returning on December 4th.

Jacob de la Rose (LW, AHL) returned from a knee injury on December 11th, after missing ten games for the IceCaps. Unfortunately upon his return he re-injured himself, and after a brief two game return, was again on the IR. He returned on December 26th.

Markus Eisenschmid (C, AHL) was injured on November 13th after taking a hard hit in the first period and has missed 13 games. He returned on December 26th.

Daniel Audette (C, QMJHL) suffered a separated shoulder on October 29th and missed 11 games for Sherbrooke before returning on December 4th.

On The Shelf:

Tom Gilbert (D, NHL) was injured on December 22nd and was placed on IR which will keep him out of action until after the Winter Classic with a lower body injury.

Brendan Gallagher (RW, NHL) was injured blocking a shot on November 22nd suffering two fractures in his left hand. The initial prognosis was a six week recovery, but he has already started skating, and the hope is that he is able to play at the Winter Classic on January 1st.

Carey Price (G, NHL) has been sidelined once again after re-aggravating the right knee injury on November 25th that kept him out for three weeks earlier in the season. Although no surgical intervention was required, he is expected to be out until at least mid-January.

Nikita Scherbak (RW, AHL) returned from injury on November 13th after missing six games, only to be crushed by a massive hit that put him right back on the shelf. The injury was been clarified as a re-occurring ankle injury that has followed Scherbak since training camp. The team has decided to shut him down until he is fully healed, which is currently estimated at January.

Connor Crisp (LW, AHL) has missed the last 18 games for the IceCaps after being injured on October 30. No information has been officially released on the nature of his injury, although he is skating and taking part in practice with the team.

Ryan Johnston (D, AHL) Rebecca Johnston’s brother has not played since the Red vs. White scrimmage on September 20th. He had back surgery and is out indefinitely. The average recovery time for his surgery (discectomy surgery on L5-S1 herniation) before physical exertion can begin is about four months.

Magnus Nygren (D, SEL) missed games in December for Farjestad BK due to overexertion. He was scheduled to return when the SEL resumed its schedule on Boxing Day, but continues to sit out.

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Returned from injury:

On The Shelf:

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