Currently sitting in last place in the NHL standings, the Vancouver Canucks are going to be getting some reinforcements soon.

Forward Nils Höglander, who has been recovering from surgery to repair a leg injury he suffered in the preseason, is eyeing a return to the Canucks’ lineup next week. Höglander was a full participant in Canucks practice on Thursday, and spoke to assembled media on Friday as the Canucks prepare to take on the Utah Mammoth.

“I’m feeling pretty good. Finally, back again, so I’m excited,” said Höglander, who confirmed he and the Canucks are eyeing next week for his return to the lineup. “It always sucks to get injured, and especially this long. So, yeah, it sucks to sit in the press box and watch every game, so I’m happy to be back now.”

“I’ve been working hard. I’ve been skating for a couple weeks now. I feel pretty ready to go and play. So I mean, I just [hope to] bounce back where I left off in camp… It’s been a little bit of a tough start here, everyone knows. But I feel like I can come in — [we’ve got] a lot of speed on this team now, get the forecheck going, and be hard on puck. So that’s where I think I can step in [and help].”

Höglander called his injury “unlucky” and said his foot got caught on the ice and caused him to twist his ankle. The Canucks take on the Detroit Red Wings on Monday and will face the Buffalo Sabres on Friday to close out their current four-game homestand. Höglander should be a big boost to the Canucks’ lineup, as he was an early standout during both training camp and the preseason prior to sustaining his injury.

Earlier today, we explored where Höglander might fit into the Canucks’ lineup upon returning, and you can read that post by clicking here!