The Vancouver Canucks will be without defenceman Derek Forbort against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night as he is scheduled for an additional evaluation today after getting tangled up in a drill at practice. Head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the evaluation plans but did not elaborate on the injury’s specifics, noting that Forbort had to get evaluated again today. Vincent Desharnais will likely take the spot on the third defensive pairing alongside Erik Brännström.
Forbort’s start to the season has been demanding. After signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Vancouver in July 2024, the 6-foot-4, 216-pound Minnesota native took personal leave after the passing of his father. Known for his physical, defensive play, Forbort has made 500 NHL appearances, a milestone he reached just last Saturday in a game against San Jose.
Prior to his time with the Canucks, Forbort played three seasons with the Boston Bruins, where he became known for his shot-blocking and penalty-killing skills. During the 2023-24 season, he was limited to 35 games due to injury, enduring two significant health setbacks, one requiring surgery. Vancouver signed Forbort to bring experienced depth to their third defensive pairing, particularly the penalty kill. So far, he’s helped improve the Canucks’ penalty-killing success rate to 83%, ranking in the NHL’s top 10 so far this season.
In his four games this season, Forbort has logged an average ice time of 16:30 and recorded one assist, five blocked shots, and a minus-two rating. With Erik Brännström also added to the lineup, the Canucks have additional flexibility on defence if Forbort is sidelined. As he undergoes further evaluation, Forbort’s immediate future on the ice remains uncertain, though updates are expected soon.
With the 32-year-old defenceman missing tonight’s action in Anaheim, he’ll have one more opportunity to crack the Canucks lineup on Thursday as they take on the Los Angeles Kings before returning to Vancouver for a six-game home stand.