The Vancouver Canucks can’t seem to catch a break this season. The club’s MASH unit continues to gain even more guests, with another star hitting the shelf during Thursday night’s tilt with the St. Louis Blues.
The star in question is Brock Boeser. The 28-year-old was the unfortunate recipient of a shot to the midsection during his first shift on Thursday night. The strike left Boeser understandably stung. He necessitated help getting back up and leaving the ice.
Here’s a look at the uncomfortable incident:
To make matters worse, the injury was the result of friendly fire. A point shot from Elias Petterson, the defenseman, rang off Boeser, leaving him in visible agony.
Boeser did not return to the game. The club has yet to issue a firm update on Boeser’s situation. Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal stated that Boeser seems to be all right and could be on the ice for the team’s Saturday night tilt with the Minnesota Wild.
If that’s the case, the Canucks would have finally caught a break. However, Boeser’s turn in the lineup on Saturday night has not been confirmed.
If Boeser can’t go, he would join the growing list of wounded warriors in Vancouver. The Canucks have sustained an unusually high number of injuries this season. In total, nine Vancouver players are currently dealing with injuries.
Boeser Injury Latest in Long String of Canucks Injuries
Brock Boeser’s injury is just the latest in a long string of injuries the Vancouver Canucks have dealt with this season. In addition to Boeser, forwards Nils Hoglander, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger, and Conor Garland are on the shelf.
Hoglander and Chytil look like long-term injury situations. Chytil, in particular, has set off speculation about potentially retiring given his long injury history.
The Canucks also have three blueliners on the mend, including captain Quinn Hughes. Hughes’ absence has been the most impactful. Beyond his usual mind-shocking ice time every game, having Hughes out of the lineup has affected the Canucks’ offense from the back end.
Plus, losing veteran Derek Forbort and Victor Mancini makes it challenging for the Canucks to maintain consistency in their defense core.
Of course, injuries are always part of an NHL season. But this year has been especially challenging for the Canucks. The hope is that once the team is finally healthy, they can gel and go on a run that leads them back to the postseason.
Vancouver Looking for Help
It’s no secret that the Vancouver Canucks have been looking for help. The team has long been a part of trade speculation. The latest speculation has linked the team to Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha.
But beyond the prevailing rumors, injuries have made it difficult for the Canucks to ice their best lineup. If forwards like Hoglander and Chytil remain out for the season, there may be a pressing need to find additional help.
With the calendar turning to November, the Canucks may find an opportunity to bolster their depth. Those opportunities may not be there yet. So, the hope is that they will become available soon enough.
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