The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have placed forward Paul Byron on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the club has called up defenceman Gustav Olofsson from their AHL affiliate Laval Rocket.
Habs Place Paul Byron on Injured Reserve, Recall Gustav Olofsson
The Canadiens have recalled defenseman Gustav Olofsson from the Laval Rocket, and placed forward Paul Byron on injured reserve.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/uFzCWMOLXB
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 29, 2019
Paul Byron was originally injured on November 15th against the Washington Capitals. He underwent knee surgery on November 19th and is expected to be out for at least four weeks.
In 19 games this season, Byron has scored one goal and added three for four points to go along with four penalty minutes.
Byron was originally picked up on waivers by the Canadiens during the 2015-16 season. He is currently serving as one of the club’s alternate captains.
Byron was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round, 179th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Gustav Olofsson was acquired by the Canadiens last season from the Minnesota Wild. However, after playing two games with the Laval Rocket, he missed the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
So far this season, Olofsson has scored seven assists in 20 games with Laval.
He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the second round, 46th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Olofsson Getting a Shot with the Habs
The Olofsson call up could not come at a better time for the Canadiens as the club has been disastrous defensively over the last six games. The Habs are currently on a six-game skid with no end in sight if they don’t start playing better in their own end. Carey Price has done all he can but even he can’t bail the Habs out from the horrendous defensive play of late.
So maybe Olofsson can bring some stability to the defence group. Brett Kulak and Mike Reilly have both failed to secure an everyday roster position and Olofsson could get a chance to snag it as early as Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Olofsson brings some size to the Canadiens line up and is a capable puck mover. He also plays a very sound defensive game and is not afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas. He also already has some NHL experience. Olofsson played 56 games with the Wild registering 11 points.
If Olofsson can have a solid couple of games for the Habs he just might grab onto that final defensive roster position next to youngster Cale Fleury.
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