It’s only days away from the opening puck being dropped for the Vancouver Canucks season and there might be some not great news coming out.
After signing his three-year deal, Brock Boeser is being held in concussion protocol after an unfortunate hit from Ottawa Senators forward Chris Tierney in Monday night’s preseason game in Abbotsford.
Through 69 games last season, Boeser was able to score 26 goals and 56 points. One of Vancouver’s best offensive players last season might not be starting this upcoming regular season with the team.
All because of just a mindless hit into the boards from the Senators forward.
Regardless of Tierney’s intention, Boeser was sent straight into the boards head-first. He started the worst possible distance away from the boards near the faceoff circle and with his back turned, was sent crashing into the glass.
Whether or not someone has the appetite to go frame-by-frame and break down the grainy footage to determine whether Chris Tierney is now public enemy no. 1, it was just an unfortunate situation. Boeser just let go of the puck and the opposing forward finished a check that could cause a devastating blow to the beginning of Vancouver’s season.
Outside of the preseason games, Todd Bertuzzi made an appearance on Sportsnet 650 and had positive things to say about Canucks forward Jake Virtanen.
It’s a common enough occurrence to happen in the modern NHL. Some under-utilized or under-developed player was traded away for too little and was able to blossom into an impactful regular.
After the improvements to the Canucks forward depth this summer, Virtanen will be given less of a clear opportunity to play with high-skill players, but could still possibly produce in the bottom-six.
And Bertuzzi is hopeful that the Abbotsford native is able to do that.
There’s always those behind-the-scene aspects to the league and its players that no one should really speculate on, but Virtanen does have some pressure on him from fans and media alike, to make an impact this season.
More news will come out in regards to Boeser’s injury in the near future before the puck drops on Oct. 2nd against the Edmonton Oilers in the Canucks’ season opener.
