The Montreal Canadiens injury woes continue to pile up this year as Shea Weber becomes the next victim. Head coach Claude Julien announced today that the team is shutting down their top defenceman due to a foot injury that has been lingering on throughout this season. He has left the team in the midst of a seven-game road trip and will be re-evaluated by the medical staff in Montreal. There is no timetable for his return.
Shea Weber out with a foot injury. Flying back to Montreal. https://t.co/PhYsGizP8S
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 18, 2017
Weber being sent back to Montreal. Foot injury not getting better. Julien says they’re going to ‘shut him down for a bit.’ #Habs
— Irfaan Gaffar (@sportsnetirf) December 18, 2017
Shea Weber Out With Foot Injury
Weber so far this season has missed seven games with this injury. In 26 games this season he has recorded 16 points. Weber has been a key point on the Habs powerplay and is averaging close to 25 minutes of ice time so far this season. Replacing Weber is not going to be easy for the Habs as he is the top defenceman on the team. The Habs will now likely look to Jordie Benn and David Schlemko to pick up more ice-time in Weber’s absence. One should also expect Jeff Petry to slide into the role as the Canadiens big minute eater on the blueline.
Jordie Benn who has played on the top line during Weber’s absence earlier this year has picked up nine points in 32 games this year. David Schlemko who missed 22 games for the Habs due to a hand injury will also get more minutes. He has also seen time on the powerplay this year. He has yet to pick up a point in eight games this year.
Main Photo: PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 02: Shea Weber #6 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 2, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
