4 to 6 weeks’ absence for Tanner Pearson

Last night, Tanner Pearson left the game in the first period.

And in the next period, the Canadiens confirmed that their game was over.

After tonight’s game against Nashville, Montreal said its forward will miss four to six weeks.

Forward Tanner Pearson will miss 4 to 6 weeks with an upper-body injury.

Forward Tanner Pearson will be out for 4 to 6 weeks due to an upper-body injury.#GoHabsGo

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 11, 2023

Against Buffalo, he reportedly received a shot to the left hand. The organization confirms that it’s an upper-body injury.

With an extra forward in town, the team didn’t have to recall a forward for tonight’s game. Why not? Because Michael Pezzetta could simply return to the line-up.

But with a prolonged absence for Pearson, a forward will have to be recalled from Laval. Joshua Roy? Emil Heineman?

Anthony Marcotte is leaning towards the second option.

With Tanner Pearson injured, we can expect Emil Heineman to be the next Canadien to be recalled. A little physical strength along the ramps won’t do the team any harm. He’s NHL-ready, in my opinion.

– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) December 11, 2023

Note that with the injuries to Kirby Dach, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Alex Newhook among the forwards, a good number of Laval guys are already up there. I’m thinking of Mitchell Stephens and Joel Armia, who, in a perfect world, would be with the Rocket.

Details to come…