Canadiens' Chiarot expected to miss 6-8 weeks with fractured hand

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot will likely be out for six-to-eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a fractured hand Monday, the club announced.

Chiarot suffered the injury during a win over the Vancouver Canucks last Wednesday. It appeared to occur during his fight with Canucks forward J.T. Miller in the first period, after which the Montreal blue-liner didn't return.

Chiarot missed the two subsequent games - a pair of losses to the Calgary Flames - as well.

The 29-year-old has collected five points in 25 games this season. He ranks third among Montreal skaters in average ice time behind Shea Weber and Jeff Petry.

Chiarot is in his second season in Montreal after signing with the team in July 2019. He spent his first five-plus campaigns with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Canadiens will presumably give rookie rearguard Alexander Romanov a larger role in the wake of Chiarot's injury.