Injuries have been intertwined with the Montreal Canadiens all season, and it looks as if Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron are on the verge of returning.
The most frustrating part of Jonathan Drouin‘s injury was how well he looked beforehand with the Montreal Canadiens. After a tough 2018-2019 campaign, Drouin needed a bounceback and did some extra work with Dominique Ducharme to improve his overall game.
That work saw him put up 7 goals and 8 assists in his first 19 games, but that wasn’t the most important part. Drouin’s commitment to the defensive zone helped the Habs break out of the zone effectively and limit time in their end. It was until a wrist injury forced Drouin out of the lineup and into surgery.
Paul Byron wasn’t having the best start to his season, bouncing back and forth between the third and fourth lines. He was producing at a much lower rate than usual (4 points in 19 games), but his leadership and work ethic were still contributing factors on the team.
Both Drouin and Byron have been out since November, and it looks like their return is on the horizon. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels did an AMA (ask me anything) Wednesday morning on Twitter. Two users asked questions on the health of the two Montreal Canadiens forwards to which Engels shared his belief that they could return this week.
So long he keeps progressing, should be within a week. https://t.co/sqYIkFjLUP
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 5, 2020
Maybe by the end of it, but not sure. Canadiens practise at 1130, so maybe there will be an update. https://t.co/MkIuVlusLq
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 5, 2020
Drouin was part of practice yesterday, taking reps at fourth-line left-wing with Nate Thompson and Dale Weise. Byron, on the other hand, has been skating, which is comforting given what Engles said about them.
Their return would likely mean the end of Ryan Poehling in the lineup. The Montreal Canadiens have already sent Jesperi Kotkaniemi down to the AHL and having both of them with the Laval Rocket would be a huge boost. Additionally, one of Dale Weise or Jordan Weal would need to come out.
Perhaps the Trade Deadline helps with that and opens more holes in the lineup. Weise is one of the UFAs who could be moved for a pick or in a package, and that’ll leave room for Byron to play.
It’ll be great to have them back and hopefully, they can find a rhythm that can carry into next season. They haven’t played a game in three months, so expecting Drouin and Byron to be difference-makers out of the gate will be tough. However, that doesn’t mean their contributions to the Montreal Canadiens will go without appreciation once they’re laced up and ready to go.