Injuries have played a significant role in the Vancouver Canucks‘ season thus far.

While it’s mostly been key penalty kill personnel missing from the Canucks’ lineup, they’ve spent time without some top of the lineup players as well. This includes Conor Garland, Quinn Hughes, and most notably, Filip Chytil.

Acquired in the JT Miller trade the Canucks made with the New York Rangers last season, Chytil’s previous concussion history was well-known and well-documented. Chytil played in 15 games for the Canucks last season before missing the remainder of the season due to yet another injury after taking a hit from Jason Dickinson. He was skating by the end of the season, and was recovered in time for the offseason.

Unfortunately, Chytil suffered another injury just six games into this season after a booming hit from Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson left him in obvious discomfort.

It’s been nearly a month since that hit, and according to Canucks GM Patrik Allvin — who spoke to reporters via Zoom on Sunday morning — Chytil is back skating as he recovers from this latest injury. Skating is the first big step for Chytil in his comeback effort, and we will see how this situation develops over the next month or so.

In addition to Chytil, Allvin offered up injury updates for centre Teddy Blueger and goaltender Thatcher Demko, calling both players week-to-week (although Blueger does sound closer to returning, with Allvin saying he could participate in the Canucks’ practice on Wednesday in Vancouver). Blueger has played in just two games this season and has been sorely missed on the Canucks’ penalty kill, which ranks dead last in the NHL at just 66.1%.

Demko, on the other hand, was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Demko exited after the first period of the Canucks’ Tuesday night game against the Winnipeg Jets with an apparent groin injury. Demko has suffered multiple injuries over the last few years, playing in just 23 games last season and 10 so far this season.