I don't think anyone hates Gorges. I'm not a big fan, but I know you need solid defenders, block shots, leader types. It's just very likely that he's done, and Murray got hosed for a guy Montreal knew was slipping.
I think his slip last year was more directly related to his knee injury than anything else.....and Montreal couldn't have predicted that to happen.
I'll be VERY impressed if he performs at his early-season level again.
I think he's old and just can't survive 20+ mins a night. I hope they dial the minutes back and let some of the younger players have it. Save Gorges for third periods and special teams.
Microfracture surgery is done due to cartilage injuries, which happen over time. I don't know if Montreal knew his condition exactly, he had knee issues before, but I suspect they knew something was wrong. Trading Gorges like they did was suspicious as it was.I think his slip last year was more directly related to his knee injury than anything else.....and Montreal couldn't have predicted that to happen.
I'll be VERY impressed if he performs at his early-season level again.
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges played on a knee with a torn ACL for over eight years. After originally injuring his knee back in junior with the Kelowna Rocket in 2002, Gorges played hundreds of games with an ACL knee brace until finally being forced to get a reconstruction after tearing his meniscus earlier in the Habs 2010-2011 season.
https://aclrepairblog.wordpress.com/tag/injuries/
Microfracture surgery in addition to his history, keeping my expectations very low.
If he can be a good bottom pairing defenseman I'd be happy.
Special teams? PK, maybe, but I'd go Risto, Bogo, Pysyk, and possibly McCabe before I went Gorges on the PP.
No he hasn't. He is only 31.
Agreed, but at the same time if Gorges ended on the PP2 I'm not calling for anyone's head.
The 31-year-old is healthy after microfracture surgery and has no restrictions on his knee, other than those he’s placed on himself. He’s changed his fitness routine to eliminate jumping and activities that grind on his knee.
“With the surgery I had, there’s just no need for it anymore,†Gorges said. “Every time you do a little bit more like that, it’s just harder and harder on your body. Not that I’m super old, but I’m starting to get up there. The most important thing is what you can do on the ice, and as long as I can do everything on the ice, then I’m good.â€
I think the Carlo and Donovan signings were a Plan B in case Gorges couldn't return however if he is 100% then it's a log jam for D spots 4-7. Hopefully it's not all smoke and mirrors and he is truly recovered and ready to go.
Gorges said on HH that Zubrus was the only other NHL'er he knew that had microfracture surgery (and that was like eight years ago).