Canadiens’ Xhekaj done for season; Dach out indefinitely https://t.co/zC8Bei0gZ0 pic.twitter.com/UErXOcThQK
— theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) February 26, 2023
Montreal Canadiens Injury List Grows with Two New Additions
The Canadiens rookie defenceman, Xhekaj has been held out of the lineup since February 12. It was finally decided that he will need surgery, which will see him miss the duration of the season. Thus far, in his rookie campaign, Xhekaj has scored five times and added eight helpers in 51 games. Moreover, it is his toughness that has made him a valuable asset to the Canadiens’ blueline. He leads the team in penalty minutes with 101, by a large margin of 38 PIMs. Also, he had 159 hits on the year.
Another Big Name Will Be Out Indefinitely With LBI
Kirby Dach is having a very solid first season with the Montreal Canadiens. The 22-year-old was acquired in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks in the off-season. In his first season with the club, he has 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 54 games. In addition, he boasts a very impressive CF% Rel of 14.2. This is a bit of a bounce-back season for the big forward. Last year he only managed nine goals and 17 assists over 70 games.
What This Means for the Canadiens
This Montreal Canadien injury news comes as the season winds down, and sums up the type of season it has been in La Belle Province. Some other big names currently out with injuries include Cole Caufield, 2022 first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky, and Jake Evans. At this point, Montreal is looking forward to the 2023 NHL entry draft. Their young and beat-up lineup was not expected to contend for a playoff spot, nor have they come close. The deep draft will be the target at this point and finding another piece to add to this organizational rebuild.
Main Photo: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
