While the Montreal Canadiens likely wouldn't have set the league on fire anyway, the sheer number of injuries the team has faced over the past two seasons is enormous. In fact, the Canadiens have led the league since 2021 in man games lost to injury per season. It was clear something had to change, and now it has.
According to Tony Marinaro, and confirmed by other sources, Gorton and Hughes have made the decision to fire Donald Balmforth, who was the team's Head Physiotherapist, as well as Graham Rynbend, who was serving as the Canadiens' Head Athletic Therapist.
While something had to give due to the situation, the decision was not met with complete approval. Former Montreal Player Craig Rivet said on Twitter that Rynbend was one of the greatest people he met throughout his NHL career. Rivet noted while he was sad to see him go, he's betting he'll move on to something bigger and better.
