The Montreal Canadiens have announced that defenceman Noah Juulsen will meet with a specialist for a second opinion regarding the headaches he has been experiencing. Juulsen missed most of last season after suffering a facial fracture on November 20th against the Washington Capitals.
The club also announced that Michael McCarron will be day-to-day with a groin injury.
Canadiens Noah Juulsen to Seek Second Opinion Regarding Headaches
Medical Update:
With both player and agent approval, defenseman Noah Juulsen will consult a specialist for a second opinion regarding his headaches.
Forward Michael McCarron is day-to-day with a groin injury.#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 17, 2019
Juulsen took two pucks to the face in the same game against the Washington Capitals last November. He returned to the line up on December 11th against the Minnesota Wild and suited up for three more games before being sent to Laval. Juulsen dressed for three games for the Rocket before he was shut down for the year due to peripheral vision issues.
Juulsen had been deemed healthy and cleared to play this season back in April. However, after arriving at camp and experiencing headaches, he has been kept off the ice.
In 21 games with the Canadiens last season, Juulsen scored one goal and added four assists.
The Canadiens drafted Juulsen in the first round, 26th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
Juulsen was expected to be the front runner for the final roster position on the right side of the Habs defence. Now, with Juulsen’s status up in the air, the door will be left open for Christian Folin along with rookies Josh Brook and Cale Fleury to battle it out to make the opening night roster.
Both Brook and Fleury are very promising prospects. Brook lead all defenceman in points last season in the WHL with 75 in 59 games. He also represented Canada at the World Junior Championships. Fleury, on the other hand, had a strong rookie season in Laval under coach Joel Bouchard. In 60 games, Fleury scored nine goals and added 14 assists for 23 points.
Head Coach Claude Julien had Brook paired with Brett Kulak in the first pre-season game on Monday night. Kulak is the player projected to play with Juulsen this season. This could be a pairing we see moving forward.
Both rookie defencemen had a strong showing in their first pre-season games. We have yet to see Christian Folin in action but will see him Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers.
CALGARY, AB – NOVEMBER 15: Noah Juulsen #58 of the Montreal Canadiens in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on November 15, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
