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Canucks practice notes: Höglander returns in non-contact jersey, Garland absent
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Photo credit: © Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Jeff Paterson
Dec 1, 2025, 16:05 EST
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The Vancouver Canucks welcomed a familiar face back to the ice as they practiced at the Los Angeles Kings’ training complex in El Segundo, California, on Monday morning.
Winger Nils Höglander joined the group for the first time since suffering a preseason ankle injury that required surgery in late September. As reported by Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy, Höglander appeared on the ice in a non-contact jersey.
At the time of the injury, the Canucks put an 8-10 week timeline on Höglander’s return. He is currently in the middle of that window. While returning to practice is a first step to getting back in the lineup, Höglander will likely need several skates with his teammates before he makes his debut in what will be his sixth National Hockey League season.
It’s also worth noting that Höglander will be jumping back into action after more than two months on the shelf. It’s often difficult for players coming off a significant injury layoff to find the speed of the game immediately. Dakota Joshua went through that last season after missing the first month of the schedule following surgery to remove a cancerous tumour.
Weeks shy of his 25th birthday, Höglander will be looking to rebound from a disappointing eight-goal and 25-point season in 2024-25. The previous season, Höglander established a career high with 24 goals and 36 points.
When he gets the green light to return to game action, he will give the Canucks top nine a boost. Although exactly where he’ll be plugged into the lineup remains to be seen. He could be an option to replace Evander Kane on the left wing with Elias Pettersson. 
The other news of the day is that Conor Garland did not skate with the team after sitting out Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss against the Kings with an undisclosed injury. Postgame, head coach Adam Foote said he likely wouldn’t have an update on Garland until the forward was seen by team doctors back in Vancouver. That makes Garland highly unlikely to play in the road trip finale in Denver on Tuesday night.
The Canucks also swapped backup goaltenders, with Jiri Patera joining the roster while Nikita Tolopilo returned to Vancouver for the birth of his child. Kevin Lankinen is expected to get the start against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
Vancouver spent the weekend in Southern California and skated there on Monday before making their way to the Mile High City.

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