Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber will be out for an extended period of time to recover from knee surgery. The expected recovery period is five to six months.

Weber, 32, missed the final month of last season after having surgery to repair a broken foot.

In a statement released by the team, head physician Dr. David Mulder said the “damage to (Weber’s) knee was more serious than previously anticipated and the situation required a more comprehensive procedure to repair a meniscal tear.”

Weber has eight more years remaining on his current 14- year, $110 million contract he signed with the Nashville Predators in 2012. In June 2016, Weber was traded from the Predators to the Canadiens in exchange for defenseman P.K. Subban. The move was and continues to be heavily scrutinized by the hockey community due to Weber’s increasing age and Subban’s high skill set, and this news will most certainly increase the criticism the Montreal front office has received since making it. Last season, Subban was a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the NHL’s top defenseman while Weber missed significant time due to injury.

The knee surgery is expected to sideline Weber until mid-December.