The Injury Bug: Oh, Tanev Where Art Thou

7 years ago

The Canucks are already three players into the Utica Comets roster. It’s been that kind of ugly this season. We’re nowhere near the body count last season inflicted, but the bodies are mounting all the same.

By my count, there’s no less than four Canucks regulars (or semi-regulars, at the very least) absent from the Canucks’ lineup. Each player’s injury status has been kept mostly under wraps, and updates have been sparse. All the same, I’m going to try my best to get you updated in advance of their three-game road trip.

Derek Dorsett

The Canucks lost Derek Dorsett in the first period of a November 17th bout with the Arizona Coyotes. Playing on the Canucks second line, Dorsett engaged in the forecheck and appeared to injure his shoulder on the play. Dorsett played just 1:42 in that game, with understandably nothing to show for it on the scoresheet.

Canucks Head Coach Willie Desjardins spoke with the media after Monday’s practice and confirmed that Dorsett was likely headed to injured reserve. A day later, the Canucks followed through and placed Dorsett on IR. That same day, they called up rugged Utica Comets forward Joseph LaBate.

The club’s yet to reveal the extent of Dorsett’s injury, or how long he’ll be kept from the Canucks lineup. That they placed Dorsett on IR indicates he’s out for at least a week. We’ll keep you updated as information becomes available.

Chris Tanev

Chris Tanev had a rough end to October and an even worse start to November. An injury sustained in an October 22nd game against the Los Angeles Kings kept him from the Canucks lineup for some time — save a game the following day against the Anaheim Ducks. Then when he returned to the lineup November 2nd to play the Canadiens, he reaggravated that same injury.

Word at Canucks practice on Monday was that he’s suffering a high ankle sprain. Those take a while to heal, so I wouldn’t anticipate his return anytime soon. The good news — he’s no longer wearing a walking boot.

Jannik Hansen

When Jannik Hansen went charging in to defend Daniel Sedin’s honour after a dirty hit by Nazem Kadri, it was one of his most endearing moments as a Canuck. When it was revealed not long after that he sustained a fractured rib from a Morgan Rielly hit delivered seconds earlier, well, it just warmed the heart. There’s a guy who cares.

Speaking with TSN 1040 AM, Canucks President Trevor Linden said on November 10th that Hansen was 4-6 weeks away from returning to the Canucks lineup. Based on that timeline, I’d expect Hansen back in the Canucks lineup right around Christmas. Best case scenario, maybe a week or two sooner.

Anton Rodin

Anton Rodin is suffering the same injury that cut short his 2015-16 season in the SHL. For a refresher, he suffered a skate cut to a tendon above his knee in practice. Apparently, Rodin was told there was a chance he could return from this injury in time to finish his last season in the SHL. The Canucks tried pushing him in the pre-season and reaggravated that same injury.

There haven’t been any setbacks since training camp. Speaking with TSN 1040 AM, Benning said last Friday that Rodin was still about three weeks away from returning to the Canucks lineup.

Philip Larsen

When the Canucks removed Philip Larsen from their lineup a few weeks ago, there was every indication it was performance related. Starting last week, though, we started to hear whispers about some sort of virus keeping Larsen from playing.

Larsen wasn’t skating with the team when they last practiced at Rogers Arena. By the sounds of it, he’ll be returning to the Canucks sooner than later. We’ll keep you posted as updates are made available.