A plethora of Montreal Canadiens players failed their initial training camp physicals. Team officials announced that Carey Price, Mike Hoffman, Paul Byron, Joel Teasdale and Josh Brook failed their physicals. The club also announced that Joel Edmundson is day-to-day while Brendan Gallagher is out for family reasons.
Medical updates from the opening day of camp 👇#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/HVJNeAIsoe
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 23, 2021
Carey Price & Others Fail Physicals
Price and Byron underwent off-season surgeries and are still recovering from those procedures. The Montreal goalie underwent knee surgery in July, but was expected to be back for the start of training camp. Price was a key component of the Canadiens’ run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Byron also underwent surgery in July, but it was for his hip. He was expected to be out for five months and return by the start of the New Year. The veteran forward was limited to 46 games last season, but was also helpful in the post-season.
Hoffman signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal to join the Habs after playing last season for the St. Louis Blues. The 31-year-old winger was listed with having a lower-body injury for Montreal.
Teasdale and Brook are both revealed to have knee injuries. No reason was given for Edmundson’s absence while Gallagher is expected to report to camp in the next few days.
What it Means
It’s not an ideal start of camp for the Canadiens, who are trying to recapture the magic from last season’s playoff run. There was hope Price would be ready for the start of the season, but that isn’t a sure thing. Jake Allen will start if Price is out for a prolonged period of time.
Byron scored the Game 1 winner of the opening round series against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs and is an important forward for the club. Hoffman was slated to come in and give the Habs some added scoring punch to their lineup.
