Less than three weeks ago, it appeared that Shea Weber was progressing well from his foot injury, and could soon be expected back in the Montreal Canadiens lineup. However, the star defender has suffered a setback. Head coach Claude Julien told the Montreal Gazette on Monday the team had shut down defenceman Shea Weber indefinitely for the second time this season.
Shea Weber Out Indefinitely Again
Weber was originally shut down on December 18th. His last game was the NHL100 Outdoor Classic in Ottawa. Prior to that, he had been playing through a foot injury that reportedly occurred when he blocked a shot in the Habs season opener against the Buffalo Sabres. In 26 games this season he has recorded six goals and 16 points. When healthy, Weber has been a key point on the Habs powerplay and is averaging close to 25 minutes of ice time per game this season. He has a 54 percent Corsi, and +1.4 relative Corsi. His Fenwick rating is even better at 54.3% and +3.3 relative.
Interestingly the Habs power play has improved with Weber out of the lineup. However the same cannot be said for the team’s play at even strength, penalty killing, or overall record. Weber is clearly the Habs best defenceman, and his absence is acutely felt by the club.
With the Habs currently sitting in 28th place in the NHL Standings, there will be no rush to bring Weber back into the lineup. Instead the focus will be on making sure he is healthy and ready to play in the 2018-19 season.
The Canadiens face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight, in the final game of their four-game road trip.
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)
