Canadiens: Demidov And Suzuki On The Mend

As the Montreal Canadiens practiced at the Bell Centre on Saturday morning, captain Nick Suzuki joined them. He was a full participant even though it’s only been a week and a half since his injury. The initial timeline for his recovery was two to four weeks, and watching him on the ice, it certainly feels like his absence will be on the short side of that estimate.

After practice, as the media waited for the door to the Habs dressing room to open, we could hear someone playing ball hockey behind a thick black curtain where players can do that and use a mini basketball arcade machine. I didn’t think much of it until I saw Ivan Demidov come out of there, wearing his gloves, holding a stick, and walking to the Habs dressing room in trainers. No walking boot in sight. That doesn’t mean the walking boot is gone for good, but it does mean he sometimes removes it to test his foot, which is a positive sign.

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I asked the communications department and was told he is still on the same recovery timeline the team originally stated. On October 6, the Habs announced that the Russian forward would be out for two to four weeks. Those four weeks will be up on Tuesday, November 3. On that day, the Canadiens take on the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Center, but it would be surprising to see Demidov on the ice if he hasn’t even skated yet.

The Sainte-Flanelle has a day off on Sunday but will be practicing in Brossard on Monday. Since the Habs confirmed he’s still on the same timeline, it makes sense to see him hit the ice then—something to watch for Monday morning.

Unlike Suzuki, though, Demidov couldn’t skate to keep in shape over the last four weeks; that’s the issue with a lower-body injury, so I expect he will need at least a few practices to get back in game shape, but time will tell.

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