Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Davidson could make Habs debut, replacing Emelin

Edmonton Oilers v New York Islanders

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 07: Brandon Davidson #88 of the Edmonton Oilers skates in warmups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on February 7, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Oilers 8-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Montreal Canadiens fans may get their first look at Brandon Davidson tonight in Vancouver.

Davidson, acquired last week in a trade with Edmonton, is expected to make his Habs debut against the Canucks. The 25-year-old defenseman is likely to replace struggling veteran Alexei Emelin.

“I really hope that I’m able to get in there,” said Davidson, per the Montreal Gazette. “It’s been a little while now. I sat a couple of games before the (trade) deadline trying not to get hurt. So I’m ready, I’m excited. I can’t wait to go.”

As for Emelin, head coach Claude Julien doesn’t expect the 30-year-old Russian to be out for long.

“He should be an everyday line-up guy. He’s that good,” Julien said of Emelin. “He’s just struggling a little bit. Some decision-making, with the puck, without the puck. Sometimes, just taking a step back and maybe give him an opportunity to watch, if that’s the case, he’ll come back a better player. I know we need him. He’s a very physical player. He’s a hard player to play against.”

The Habs kick off their Western Canada road trip riding a five-game winning streak. They’re in Calgary Thursday and Edmonton Saturday.