Habs Practice Report

Habs Practice Report: Byron, Gallagher Skate, Drouin Out Indefinitely

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2022

There was good news and bad news from the Montreal Canadiens after their first practice at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard in more than two weeks.

Following a practice in which forwards Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher skated with their teammates for the first time since the calendar year turned to 2022, Montreal Canadiens vice president Chantal Machabee gave the following updates:

Byron (hip) and Gallagher (lower-body), who skated in non-contact jerseys, are closing in on a return and they could be good to go as soon as Saturday.

After taking a headshot from Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon and leaving in the first period of the 8-2 loss Monday, Montreal Canadiens forward Christian Dvorak (undisclosed, likely concussion), was given a therapy day. Dvorak is day-to-day will be evaluated as he continues to follow the return-to-play protocol.

Forward Jonathan Drouin is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury.

Goalie Carey Price continues to rehab his knee and is working out but there is no timetable for a return.

Montreal Canadiens forwards Joel Armia and Cole Caufield are still skating and will remain in Madison, WI after entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol last week. They are expected to return to Canada and Montreal on Friday.

Later in the day, the Montreal Canadiens also announced that they had placed defenseman Sami Niku on waivers. This is the second time the Habs defenseman has been placed on waivers.

The Habs begin an eight-game homestand at the Bell Centre Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

Here’s what the Montreal Canadiens looked like on the ice in Brossard Wednesday:

Forwards:

Artturi Lehkonen-Nick Suzuki-Tyler Toffoli

Laurent Dauphin – Ryan Poehling – Mike Hoffman

Rem Pitlick-Jake Evans-Josh Anderson

Michael Pezzetta-Lukas Vejdemo-Cedric Paquette

*Paul Byron, Brendan Gallagher (non-contact)

Defense:

Ben Chiarot-David Savard

Brett Kulak-Jeff Petry

Alexander Romanov-Chris Wideman