co-written by Ben Kerr
Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien told media on Monday that defenceman Shea Weber is expected back in two-to-three weeks. Weber was shut down in late December with a foot injury.
Shea Weber is getting closer and closer to being 100 percent healthy.
READ -> https://t.co/qiFb8g4Kbg #GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 30, 2018
The Montreal Canadiens also announced that forward Andrew Shaw will miss the next four to six weeks with a lower-body injury.
A lower-body injury will keep Andrew Shaw out of action for the next 4 to 6 weeks.
DETAILS -> https://t.co/xlza6uTPHQ.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 29, 2018
Shea Weber Timeline
Weber was originally shut down on December 18th. Prior to that, he had been playing through a foot injury that reportedly occured 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.
Andrew Shaw Injured
Shaw was injured during the January 13th game against the Boston Bruins. The Canadiens announced his injury two days later saying that he would be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. This announcement is just to put a timeline on Shaw’s injury. Shaw has 10 goals and nine assists so far this season. He also added 47 minutes in penalties so far this year.
Over his seven year career, Shaw has played in 433 games tallying 92 goals and 93 assists in that time. He was originally drafted in the 5th round, 138th overall in the 2001 NHL draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Shaw was acquired by the Canadiens on June 24th, 2016 from the Chicago Blackhawks for two 2nd round draft picks. He was acquired to help the Habs with some physical presence up front. Those picks ended up being Alex DeBrincat and Chad Krys.
What this Means for the Habs
The injuries to Weber and Shaw are more blows to the Habs sub-par season. Weber is the clear top defenceman on the team, and Canadiens miss his presence on the back end. He plays the power play, the penalty kill and is used in match-ups against the other team’s best players. He is also a leader in the room and a mentor for young defencemen such as Victor Mete. The impact of his absence cannot be overstated.
Shaw provides a physical presence on the ice and has a knack for getting in the face of the opposing goaltender. Shaw has been a pivotal part of the Habs power play having five of his nine goals this year come on the man advantage.
The Habs did go out and replace Shaw with another Shaw when they acquired Logan Shaw off of waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. Before the injury, Shaw had not missed a game all season. The Habs will hope to have Shaw back by mid-February early March.
MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 20: Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mark Streit (32) stands in front of the net with Montreal Canadiens goalie Charlie Lindgren (39) and Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber (6) in the background during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 20, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
