Hours after their 4-1 victory over Edmonton in the team’s preseason finale, the Vancouver Canucks were back on the ice Saturday for a brisk 35 minute practice at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre on the campus of the University of British Columbia.
As he was Friday night, Conor Garland was once again absent. The veteran winger is nursing a minor undisclosed injury and is considered day to day. Rick Tocchet suggested that Garland could skate as early as tomorrow although the coach wouldn’t commit to having Garland available for Sunday’s practice. Everything with Garland is about ensuring he’s ready for Wednesday’s regular season opener against Calgary.
While Garland was missing, Pius Suter was back on the ice with the main group Saturday in a red non-contact jersey after suffering an upper body injury on Monday night in Edmonton. Suter skated on his own prior to Friday’s morning skate and today was involved throughout practice with his teammates.
Despite not yet being cleared for contact, Suter was an active participant in all drills on Saturday including the team’s small area games where space is at a premium and bodies often collide. Suter stuck around after practice and worked on face-offs with skills coach Jason Krog. So that all seemed like positive progression in Suter’s bid to return to play. 
Otherwise, the Canucks skated in the same line combinations and defensive pairings as they did on Friday night. 
The team is scheduled to skate again at UBC on Sunday before taking Monday off. Management and the coaching staff have to set the team’s opening day roster by 2pm Pacific time on Monday.

What we heard

Rick Tocchet on Pius Suter’s status: “Any time you get a guy, even in a non-contact, get him a few skates and see how he feels.”
Tocchet on Suter’s quiet camp and preseason prior to the injury: “I think you always have to give the veterans the benefit of the doubt. I think with Sutes, he has to keep working on his conditioning and pushing the pace. I thought he’s worked hard in camp, but he has to keep pushing himself. He’s never satisfied, that’s how you push yourself. It’s go time for everybody and he’s one of those guys, too.”
Tocchet on Conor Garland’s absence: “He tweaked something the other day and he maybe could have practiced, but we’re just being precautionary. You just want to err on the side of caution right now. I think he might skate tomorrow, I’m not sure, but it is day to day. Opening (night) is big for everybody and you just have to make sure you do the right things.”
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