The Montreal Canadiens put forward Paul Byron on their long-term injury list on Monday.
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No wonder, since the 33-year-old veteran couldn’t take part in the training camp due to a left hip injury.
Byron also had surgery there in July 2021. However, the ongoing pain limited him to 27 games last season.
The fiery Ottawan, who received waivers from the Calgary Flames in 2015, wasn’t his first visit to the infirmary. In November 2019 he had to go under the knife because of a knee injury.
Since the 2018-2019 season, Byron has missed no fewer than 142 regular season games. So one can wonder if the career of the number 41 in the best ice hockey league in the world is coming to an end.
From low-key beginnings in the Buffalo Sabers and Flames uniform, Byron went on to become a point guard with the Habs. He had two 20+ seasons and wore the letter “A” on his jersey.
In his career he scored 98 goals and 208 points in 521 games.
CH will therefore save the Ontarian’s contract-related $3.4 million on his payroll for as long as his name remains on the cripple’s list. This is the final year of the four-year deal Byron signed in September 2018.
Xhekaj will make his debut
This situation also allowed the Canadian to recall defender Arber Xhekaj. The day before, he had been transferred to the Laval Rocket in the American League for administrative reasons.
The 21-year-old defender, who was never drafted, did very well during camp and pre-season games at Sainte-Flanelle. This earned him an opportunity to start the 2022-2023 season in the National League, early in his professional hockey career.