Michael Cammalleri needs a little aid from crutches, but has already been given the green light to walk to help his injured right knee.
(The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson)
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Six weeks, no surgery.
That’s the official party line for Michael Cammalleri on the knee injury suffered Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.
The Canadiens’ leading goal-scorer met with the media Tuesday to discuss his status and while losing him for any stretch offers little optimism in an uncertain playoff picture, Cammalleri was going for a different approach.
“You try and stay as upbeat and positive as you can, and the attitude is that I have confidence in our team and where they’re going,” he said. “For me personally, it’s just about getting as strong as I can and try to come back even stronger.”
Part of that positive attitude will come from his familiarity with his current situation. A fairly durable player for the better part of his NHL career so far, Cammalleri endured a similar injury in his sophomore season, then with the Los Angeles Kings. That was on his left knee. And when the media tried to press for more info about the past hoping for a little insight for the present?
“That one was four weeks, no surgery,” laughed Cammalleri.
Staying on the sidelines and not being able to help one’s team in a crucial stretch can be tough. That surgery isn’t needed is one silver lining, as is the upcoming Olympic break. He’s expected to miss approximately 14 games, the equivalent of one month of the NHL season.
Perhaps the “best” news of all, though, is that Cammalleri is able to start rehab right away. While he’s getting some walking aid from crutches, he’s been encouraged by the training staff to walk on his own.
“They want me to get going and start doing some things already to try and keep the strength up in the leg around the knee,” he affirmed. “Our staff is incredible when it comes to that. We’ve already started the process.”
As it stands, the 27-year-old will be spending a lot of time with the Canadiens’ athletic therapists and strength and conditioning coordinator. He hopes the healing process proves to be a quick one – “We’re doing everything we can,” he says – a sentiment likely echoed by his coach and teammates and surely so by fans.
Until then, he’ll turn to his fellow Habs for a little help.
“I can’t drive, so that’s a problem. I’ve been bugging all the guys for rides all the time. It was [Ryan] O’Byrne today, [Josh] Gorges yesterday...
“What are you doing [after this]?”
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Quotes courtesy of Habs Inside/Out audio clips
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