The Montreal Canadiens already shortened blueline is losing a potential key member, as David Schlemko will be out for up to six weeks with a knee injury.
Going into the 2018-19 season, the Montreal Canadiens blueline was already playing with a less than full deck of cards. Especially with star defenseman Shea Weber remaining out until at least December.
They got some more bad news on Friday, Sept. 28, as the team announced David Schlemko will miss up to six weeks with a knee injury. This isn’t the first time he’ll miss time for the Canadiens. Last year, Schlemko missed over half the season.
David Schlemko a subi une blessure au genou lors du dernier match. Il pourrait s’absenter pendant six semaines selon l’entraîneur-chef Claude Julien.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 28, 2018
David Schlemko suffered a knee injury last game. He’ll be out for up to six weeks, says head coach Claude Julien.
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This is rough news for the Canadiens, who were already a bit short on their blueline even before Schlemko’s injury. Montreal was expecting him to help lead a relatively young defense. Though Schlemko was likely only going to be in a third pairing role, he had a very promising preseason, during which he was one of their better defensemen.
During the 2017-18 season, he put up five points (one goal and four assists), accumulating six penalty minutes in 37 games while averaging over 18 minutes of playing time per game. Schlemko averaged over a minute per game killing penalties and on the power play.
This is very unfortunate for the veteran 31-year-old defenseman, who can’t seem to catch a break regarding his health. Schlemko has spent time with the Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils. Most of his career has been spent with the Yotes, as they are the only team he has spent over 70 games with.
Impact
The Canadiens will likely go with Mike Reilly to replace him. Reilly, who the Habs acquired at the trade deadline last season, put up 18 points in 57 games, including eight points in 19 games with the Habs.
It also helps the Canadiens a little bit, as it clears up a logjam. Jordie Benn, Reilly, Noah Juulsen, and Xavier Ouellet weren’t all going to be able to make the roster. The Canadiens will be able to get an extended look at those guys and don’t have to make a decision until either Weber or Schlemko returns.
Even once he returns, he might not have a spot in the lineup, depending on how things play out. But even if Schlemko doesn’t, it’ll be good for the Canadiens to have an extra NHL defenseman available.