Alexander Edler Sidelined 4-6 Weeks With MCL Sprain

Thursday night’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets provided a sample of what the Canucks lineup looks like without Alexander Edler. A lower-body injury sustained in a board battle with Mark Scheifele about halfway through the first period of Thursday’s tilt forced Edler from the game, and he never returned.

Canucks head coach Travis Green didn’t have any answers after that game, but at the end of today’s game-day skate he revealed that Edler has sustained an MCL sprain that will keep him from the Canucks’ lineup for the next 4-6 weeks. Edler had been playing with Chris Tanev on the Canucks’ top pair and was in a premier role in both phases of special teams.

As Edler leaves the Canucks lineup, opportunity beckons for the Canucks newest blueliner, Derrick Pouliot. The Canucks acquired Pouliot at the end of training camp in a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Andrey Pedan and a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Pouliot, 23, has played in 67 NHL games to this point in his career and amassed 14 points in that time (two goals and 12 assists).

The Canucks face the Calgary Flames tonight on Hockey Night in Canada at 7 PM Pacific.