Carey Worth enters NHL/NHLPA participant help program: What it means for the Canadiens goalie

Carey Worth shall be taking time away from the Canadiens, the NHL and Nationwide Hockey League Gamers’ Affiliation introduced Thursday. He’ll voluntarily participate within the NHL/NHLPA participant help program.

“At the moment, I am not enthusiastic about Carey Worth the goaltender,” basic supervisor Marc Bergevin mentioned. “I am enthusiastic about Carey Worth the human being.”

Bergevin, who came upon the information Wednesday — which he talked about caught him off guard — was overcome with emotion throughout his information convention. 

“It is … It is onerous,” he mentioned, preventing via tears when requested about what Worth has meant to him over the previous 9 years collectively earlier than motioning for the following query. 

What’s the participant help program?

This system was created in 1996 and assists gamers and their households with psychological well being, substance abuse and different issues.

“[It’s] the elephant within the room. Typically we do not say something and it’s totally private however I salute [them] and glad they did,” Bergevin mentioned when requested in regards to the braveness Worth and Jonathan Drouin, who stepped away in the course of the 2021 season due to nervousness and insomnia, by looking for assist and making it public. 

Bergevin confused the necessity for gamers to ask for assist as a result of hockey careers solely final so lengthy.

“It was at all times there however I believe now guys are extra keen,” Bergevin mentioned when requested in regards to the evolution of gamers asking for assist in contrast together with his taking part in days from 1985 to 2004. “Possibly again then, you’ll have been seen as being weak — which was mistaken — however it was in all probability the way in which we have been constructed and now it is extra within the open. I believe it should be higher for everyone.”

When will Carey Worth return?

Worth missed coaching camp whereas recovering from knee surgical procedure (meniscus) in July. He hadn’t practiced with the group however had reportedly skated, per the Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan. He was anticipated to return for the beginning of the season when the surgical procedure was introduced; nonetheless, up to now few days that was turning into much less clear. On Wednesday, coach Dominique Ducharme mentioned he was recovering from a non-COVID-19 sickness and was “not doing properly.”

Bergevin mentioned Worth shall be out a minimal 30 days however “may very well be longer.” He does anticipate him to be again with the group sooner or later this season. 

The Canadiens netminder went 12-7-5 with a .901 save share in 25 video games in 2021. He missed time on the finish of the season after going into concussion protocol. When he returned, Worth led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Remaining with a .924 save share and a pair of.28 goals-against common.

Over the course of 14 seasons, all with the Canadiens, the 2015 Hart and Vezina Trophy winner has a 360-257-79 document with a profession .917 save share and 49 shutouts.

What it means for the Canadiens on the ice?

There may be nothing extra essential than the well being and wellbeing of Worth. Having mentioned that, his loss between the pipes is someting that may have an effect on the Canadiens on the ice. As Ducharme mentioned, everybody might want to step up as “not one man will exchange Carey Worth.”

Jake Allen is predicted to tackle the duties of the No. 1 spot. A 2019 Stanley Cup champion, Allen performed in 29 video games in 2021 as Worth’s backup, going 11-12-5 with a .907 save share.

On Saturday, the Canadiens claimed Samuel Montembeault off waivers from the Panthers earlier than they realized of Worth’s go away of absence.

“I believe by choosing up Samuel on waivers provides us as we speak a security valve that I am glad we did,” Bergevin mentioned.

2017 seventh-round choose Cayden Primeau can also be nonetheless in camp with the group. Montreal’s season begins Tuesday in opposition to the Maple Leafs.