Paul Byron triggers the next wave of movement on the Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are close to having Paul Byron return to the lineup which hints at further moves to remain within the roster limit.

The Montreal Canadiens were down 4-1 against the Dallas Stars in the second period last month. Although the game was virtually over already, the biggest loss was Paul Byron to injury. Byron left that night during the middle frame of the game and unfortunately wouldn’t return to the lineup for the next 14 contests.

The 29-year-old was one of the team’s top point-getters at the time with 4 goals and 3 assists in 11 games. Montreal managed to put wins together during his absence, but it hasn’t been all that positive lately, even though Shea Weber made his return last game against the Carolina Hurricanes. But it looks like the theme of returns will continue through Saturday night.

Byron was a full participant in practice on Thursday skating on a line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen. He also hinted at a return to the media afterwards saying:

"I hope so. I’m not sure. I’m still on the IR. Just trying to practise day-by-day and hopefully, if everything goes well tomorrow, we’ll see what the coach thinks. But I feel good and just trying to get my timing back and feel good with everybody."

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a player who is getting into the lineup. And with Byron going in, someone else needs to come out.

The Montreal Canadiens made room for Byron to come off of the injured reserve list by sending Victor Mete down to the Laval Rocket. But it looks as if Charles Hudon is getting the hook in place of Byron leaving the fourth line of Kenny Agostino, Michael Chaput and Nicolas Deslauriers intact.

There are still three more returnees to deal with after Byron, and if Claude Julien continues to favour his ACD (Agostino-Chaput-Deslauriers) bottom trio, something else will have to give.

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