The injuries keep coming for the Vancouver Canucks, who have lost Sam Gagner, Brendan Gaunce and Chris Tanev recently and dealt with injuries to Bo Horvat and Brandon Sutter earlier in the year—not to mention Derek Dorsett’s career-ending diagnosis. Now, Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130 reports that Markus Granlund will undergo a surgery on his ankle and is out for seven to eight weeks.
Granlund has been relegated to a checking role for much of the season in Vancouver, and has seen his offensive numbers plummet because of it. The 24-year old forward has just 12 points on the season, a far cry from his 19-goal output a year ago. Interestingly, that may actually benefit the Canucks in the long run.
Vancouver heads into the summer with several restricted free agents—including Granlund—to negotiate with, and will really be deciding the shape of the core going forward. With Granlund eligible for arbitration, another year like 2016-17 would have put him in prime position to demand a hefty long-term deal. Now, coming off a disastrous season, the two sides will likely come together on something more reasonable. Eight weeks would put Granlund out for the remainder of the regular season, and even if he does return for a few games there is little he can do to improve his case.
This is the second year in a row that the Canucks have been decimated by injuries. They are not strangers to it in the past either (Sami Salo anyone?).
One has to wonder why they have such bad luck – is it the system? The travel? Or is coincidence? Back to back years is exhausting as a fan
I remember when the canucks were in the playoffs, doesn’t seem that long ago. As a blues fan I think the canucks and the sedin brothers deserve another chance in the playoffs.
This is rough for the Comets too. Fighting for a playoff spot going 10-0-2 in their last 12 and their four best skaters are up in Vancouver now