Alexandre Burrows Takes Leave of Absence for Personal Reasons

Hunter Shinkaruk’s recall is beginning to make considerably more sense than originally suspected.

Just a day after the diminutive winger was recalled from the Utica Comets, the Canucks have lost another key contributor for an indeterminate amount of time. Alexandre Burrows is reported to have left the Canucks for what are being described as “personal reasons”.

The pesky winger is one day removed from a power play goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs and a phone call with league officials to discuss his part in the Jordin Tootoo controversy. It’s been a stressful week, spent entirely on the road as the Canucks are in the midst of a season long seven-game road trip. One which is looking increasingly likely to end without their core piece and renowned shift disturber. 

The news was broke by Willie Desjardins, then reported by Derek Jory of www.Canucks.com. As the bobbing coach alluded to, Burrows’ personal reasons are “a good thing” and he is back with his family. Alex Burrows returning to the club for tomorrow’s contest against the Montreal Canadiens hasn’t been ruled out, but one has to imagine it’s highly unlikely. 

Desjardins went on to add that the absence of Burrows increases the likelihood of Shinkaruk making his NHL debut on Monday before adding that Brandon Sutter is inching closer towards a return from injury. For a Canucks team that is struggling at both ends of the ice, the return of Sutter and debut of Shinkaruk could pay immediate dividends. At the very least, it could go a long way in replacing some of what Burrows brings to the Canucks lineup on a nightly basis.

It’s not often that the better by subtraction rule applies to an NHL roster, but there’s no denying this is a Canucks squad which just became infinitely more likeable outside of B.C. Unfortunately, they’re probably a little bit worse to boot.