Montreal Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson will make his season debut Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken, the team announced.
A back injury has sidelined Edmundson dating back to training camp. Before the regular season began, he was initially expected to miss two-to-three weeks, but significant setbacks delayed his return.
The 28-year-old potted three goals and 10 assists in 55 contests last season while averaging 20 minutes of ice time. He led the team with 75 blocks and was second among Canadiens defensemen with 98 hits.
Edmundson was an important piece during the Habs' run to the Stanley Cup Final, logging over 23 minutes per contest and tallying six helpers over 22 games.
The Canadiens announced a slew of other injury updates as well:
#Habs injury updates:
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) March 12, 2022
Price will skate this afternoon and is making progress but there is no return date as yet for when he will practise with his teammates.
Dvorak: day-to-day, cleared for limited contact
Drouin: no return date yet
Allen: will not play this weekend.@TSN_Edge
Meanwhile, goaltender Andrew Hammond has a lower-body injury, and there's no timetable for his return. Defenseman David Savard is continuing to rehab his ankle injury.
The Canadiens have enjoyed a turnaround under interim head coach Martin St. Louis but currently sit in the basement of the Atlantic Division with a record of 15-35-7.
Puck drops on Edmundson's season debut at 7 p.m. ET.
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