Canadiens' Carey Price expected to miss start of season due to non-COVID-illness

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetOctober 06, 2021 - 1:54pm

Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme confirms that Carey Price is not doing well right now, and doesn’t foresee him returning to practice right now, also lays out the steps to get him back up to speed when he is ready to return.

The Montreal Canadiens are anticipating they’ll begin the regular season without superstar goaltender Carey Price between the pipes.

Head coach Dominique Ducharme, speaking with the media Wednesday, does not expect Price to practise with the team before the campaign starts next Wednesday as they plan to ease him back into the lineup after he recovers from a non-COVID-related illness.

“It’s a progression, getting back on the ice, and not going down too much and building him up,” Ducharme said. “Starting to work with the goalie coach and then practise with the team and being ready to play games. He’s not doing well right now, so he’s going to take care of that.”

Dominique Ducharme says Carey Price won't be able to practise with the Canadiens before the season starts. Said they'll ease him back in once he recovers from his illness.

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 6, 2021

Price, 34, is also recovering from off-season surgery to repair a torn meniscus and was expected to be on the mend for 10 to 12 weeks.

Meanwhile, defenceman Joel Edmundson underwent tests and will miss two to three weeks. The 28-year-old Edmundson has been out with an undisclosed injury since camp opened.

Dominique Ducharme says Joel Edmundson underwent tests and they didn't go well. "He's going to miss two-three weeks."

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 6, 2021

Edmundson was a steady force on the blue-line during his first year with the Canadiens after arriving via trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old from Brandon, Man., played in 55 regular season games scoring three goals and adding 10 assists and appeared in 22 playoff games recording six assists.

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