The Montreal Canadiens have received troubling news regarding forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard, who recently underwent surgery to address a broken leg sustained during a summer scrimmage. Although the surgery on Thursday was successful, the recovery period is expected to last four months. This update was shared by the Canadiens on X, informing fans that the 25-year-old winger’s anticipated return would be delayed, potentially missing the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. The Canadiens’ first game is scheduled for October 9 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Last season, Harvey-Pinard appeared in 45 games, netting two goals and adding eight assists. In the 2022-23 season, he had a notable performance with 14 goals and six assists in 34 games after being promoted from the AHL’s Laval Rocket. Harvey-Pinard was drafted by the Canadiens in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft and is currently in the final year of his two-year, $2.2 million contract. His injury will impact the team’s lineup as they begin the new season.
The Canadiens have had their share of injury woes in recent years. The team set an NHL record for man-games lost due to injury with 751 during the 2022-23 season, surpassing their previous record of 720 from the season before. This string of injuries contributed to the dismissal of the head athletic therapist and head physiotherapist in June 2023. Last season, forward Kirby Dach suffered a season-ending injury early on, leaving only a few players, including Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, to participate in all 82 games.
As the Canadiens prepare for the upcoming season, Harvey-Pinard’s absence creates uncertainty at the left wing position. Juraj Slafkovsky is expected to occupy the first line alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. Harvey-Pinard was a candidate for a second-line role but will now be sidelined until late November, likely placed on long-term injured reserve. This situation opens up opportunities for Michael Pezzetta and gives prospects such as Owen Beck, Filip Mesar, and Joshua Roy a greater chance to secure spots on the opening night roster.
Additionally, the Canadiens’ recent draft pick, Ivan Demidov, who was selected fifth overall on June 28, has generated excitement among fans. However, it remains uncertain when he will join the Canadiens’ roster.
