Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin addressed the media and gave the following updates. First, he stated that he does not expect Canadiens captain Shea Weber to play the entire 2021-22 season due to injuries. There is a greater concern Weber could be done for his career. In addition, Bergevin expects Jonathan Drouin back for next season. And finally, goaltender Carey Price will be out six to eight weeks following surgery. There is a small percentage it could be longer.
Marc Bergevin says Shea Weber has several injuries (ankle, foot, knee, thumb). "Even missing a practice for him wasn't an option. He has a lot of mileage…He won't be back next season, and probably won't be back for his career."
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 22, 2021
Shea Weber Suffers Multiple Injuries
There was an understanding Weber was carrying multiple injuries during Montreal’s fairytale trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Montreal left their captain unprotected for the Seattle expansion draft. The worst fears have now been confirmed. Now Montreal will be preparing to be without their captain for the long term. Something they knew was a possibility.
At 35 years old, Weber has played 16 NHL seasons, scoring 224 goals and 589 points in 1038 games. He has been a captain for 614 of those games, leading both the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens. Last season, Weber played in 48 games for Montreal. He recorded 19 points (six goals and 13 assists). He added an additional six points (one goal and five assists) in 22 playoff games for Montreal.
Weber won the Mark Messier Leadership Award after the 2015-16 season and is a four-time All-Star team entrant.
What This Means Going Forward
For Nashville, Weber’s injury could spell some trouble. After David Poile matched the Philadelphia Flyers offer sheet in 2012, Weber’s contract had a cap recapture penalty attached. If Weber ends up retiring because of these injuries, Nashville will be punished via cap fines. The Canadiens are speaking with the league and the players association to determine appropriate action. Weber can be on long-term injured reserve for the rest of his career as previously players have done. That is just a tough way for a player to go out. Players like to go out on their terms not because of injuries.
In addition, to the Weber news, Bergevin stated goaltender Carey Price will be out six to eight weeks. He saw doctors in New York this week to see if he needed hip or knee surgery. This is a big blow. Price was also left unprotected, but Seattle did not choose him in the draft. Along with Weber, Price will be on LTIR and the Canadiens could be without their number one goalie to start the year. And a potential stint in Laval to come back. Everything now falls onto Jake Allen.
Obviously, another huge one, is that the Canadiens are only expecting Price to have to have a little cleanup and a six-to-eight-week recovery from whatever’s ailing him.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 22, 2021
Not all the news was bad for Montreal as Bergevin stated Jonathan Drouin will be back to start the season with Montreal. Recall, Drouin took an indefinite leave of absence from the team prior to the end of last season. If Drouin comes back recharged and refreshed this is a big addition for Montreal offensively.
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