Forward Josh Leivo would have returned to the Vancouver Canucks’ lineup had they made it to the Stanley Cup Final, general manager Jim Benning confirmed this morning on TSN 1040’s Donnie and the Moj.
Leivo sustained a fractured kneecap back in December after a questionable hit from Vegas Golden Knights’ forward Nick Holden sent him into the boards in an awkward position. No penalty was called on the play, and Holden didn’t face any additional discipline after the fact.
Dangerous cross-check by Nick Holden on Josh Leivo pic.twitter.com/4oQ2FCaaRn
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) December 20, 2019
Although Leivo was originally expected to miss two to three months with the injury, he faced a longer road to recovery than was originally expected. He will be ready to go for training camp should the Canucks re-sign the pending unrestricted free agent this offseason.