Canadiens' Schlemko out 3-4 weeks following hand surgery

David Schlemko's debut with the Montreal Canadiens will have to wait.

The veteran defenseman underwent surgery to remove a bone fragment in his right hand and is expected to be on the shelf for three-to-four weeks, the team announced Wednesday.

Schlemko suffered the injury early in training camp, and the surgery comes after he appeared in one game for Montreal's AHL affiliate on a conditioning stint.

Selected by Vegas from San Jose in the expansion draft, Schlemko was traded to Montreal on June 22. He recorded two goals and 16 assists in 62 games for the Sharks last season.

The injury means the Canadiens will continue to rely on Victor Mete, Jordie Benn, Brandon Davidson, and Joe Morrow to round out the bottom half of the defensive depth chart.