That’s just hockey.

Just as the Vancouver Canucks forwards were starting to find their rhythm and turn their seasons around, the injury bug struck.

In a frustrating Saturday morning tilt in Manhattan, the Canucks dropped a game they dominated for much of the contest.

But the loss on the scoreboard wasn’t the only setback.

Both Elias Pettersson and Nils Höglander, two of the team’s hottest producers in recent memory, exited the game early and did not return.

Pettersson’s departure came after an awkward moment during a faceoff, where he appeared to tweak something. Despite a brief attempt at a comeback later that period, he was absent for the third period and never returned.

As for Höglander, details remain sparse, but he was also unavailable for the third period.

While their statuses remain unclear, head coach Rick Tocchet hinted post-game at a potential centre call-up from Abbotsford to fill the void, if needed.

So, who might the Canucks summon to fill that void?

Fortunately, Vancouver has two compelling options, both currently thriving with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL.

Riding a seven-game winning streak, Abbotsford has surged up the Pacific Division standings, largely thanks to the stellar play of their top-six centres, Aatu Räty and Max Sasson.

Both have already enjoyed stints with Vancouver this season, making them familiar and viable candidates.

But if the Canucks are looking for the hotter hand — or the most deserving player — Max Sasson might just edge out the competition.

Sasson’s case for a call-up is hard to ignore, whether you’re digging into the stat sheet or watching his impact on the ice from shift to shift. During Abbotsford’s seven-game heater, he sports the highest point total amongst all AHL skaters with 10 points.

Paired with Arshdeep Bains, the duo has been a revelation on the top line, dominating possession and injecting electricity into the lineup with each shift.

Sasson’s widely documented blazing speed has been a weapon, consistently beating defenders wide, gaining clean zone entries, and leaving opponents scrambling.

Heck, take his most recent overtime-winning goal as the perfect case in point.

Beyond his offensive contributions, Sasson has been a key factor in all situations of the ice. That includes adding penalty killing duties to his repertoire, a role he didn’t occupy earlier in the season. This versatility and relentless motor make him an ideal fit for Vancouver’s bottom six.

While he may not be suited for top six minutes or replacing Pettersson’s production, Sasson excels as a crash-and-bang energizer who brings pace and tenacity to every shift.

That said, Aatu Räty’s contributions are equally difficult to overlook. The Finnish forward leads Abbotsford in scoring this season, posting an impressive 39 points in 41 games — his best point-per-game campaign since arriving in North America.

Over the same seven-game winning streak, Räty has contributed six points, a slightly less prolific pace than Sasson’s but still a meaningful impact.

Where Räty truly shines with an edge, however, is in the faceoff circle. Hovering around a 55% success rate for the season, he’s a proven clutch performer, capable of winning draws on either side of the ice in critical moments.

Like Sasson is now, he has been a long-standing contributor to the team’s penalty kill, and Räty still brings a meat-and-potatoes style capable of bottom six deployment.

His vision and hockey IQ allow him to contribute offensively, and at just 22 years old, his upside suggests he’s a strong candidate for a full-time NHL role as early as next season.

Both Sasson and Räty offer the Canucks reliable, albeit less offensive, options to plug the gap left by Pettersson’s and Höglander’s injuries.

If Vancouver needs a spark to shake off the sting of Saturday’s loss, Sasson feels like the frontrunner. But if Tocchet prioritizes structure and a dependable pivot in faceoff situations, Räty’s name might be called upon.

Either way, Abbotsford’s depth is proving to be a silver lining in a tough moment for the big club.

Injuries sting, but they also open doors.