The Vancouver Canucks are facing more injury challenges, with veteran defenceman Tucker Poolman set for another extended absence due to ongoing concussion issues. Poolman, who has battled neurological complications from migraines, is expected to sit out the entire 2024-25 season, just as he did last year.
This development, while unfortunate, is not a surprise. Poolman has been limited to just 43 games with the Canucks, with most of those appearances coming in his first season in 2020-21. Now entering the final year of his four-year, $10-million contract, Poolman’s future with the team remains uncertain. It’s likely that he will be placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) again, as was the case last season, to relieve the team of his $2.5-million salary cap hit.
Poolman has played only 168 NHL games in his career, and his time in Vancouver has been plagued by injuries. Since signing with the Canucks in 2021, he has appeared in just three games over the past two seasons due to his concussion-related issues. At 31, Poolman’s once-promising career is now in jeopardy as health concerns continue to overshadow his potential.
Despite Poolman’s absence, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin is hopeful to avoid placing him on LTIR immediately. Ideally, the team would wait until closer to the trade deadline to make that move, allowing them to accrue valuable cap space during the season. This approach could provide the Canucks with more flexibility as they navigate a season with several injury concerns.
With Poolman, Dakota Joshua, Brock Boeser, and Thatcher Demko all dealing with injuries or health issues, the Canucks face significant depth challenges heading into training camp. However, optimism remains high thanks to the elite talent on their roster, and the team is hopeful they can build on their strong performance from the 2023-24 season.
The Canucks now prepare for a season filled with uncertainty but also the potential for success if they can manage their injuries and make the most of their roster.
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