The Vancouver Canucks lost some depth to their forwards when the team announced that Justin Bailey underwent successful shoulder surgery, but has no timetable for a return and will miss the rest of the season. The forward was originally injured on Feb. 11 after taking a hit from behind by Calgary Flames forward Milan Lucic (no penalty on the play). Bailey has not played since.
While Bailey has appeared in just three games for the Canucks this season and five over the past two years, he was the perfect taxi squad candidate. The 25-year-old is a veteran of the AHL and has proven that he’s excelled at that level after potting 28 goals with the Utica Comets last season. That experience worked perfectly with the taxi squad player and likely would have gotten him more NHL games this season had he not been injured.
Bailey will be a restricted free agent this offseason as his one-year, $750K contract will expire at the end of the season.
Lucic, the gift that keeps on giving
That’s fine. The Canucks fill their bottom six with marginally talented journeymen and it’s very tired. Absolutely no reason for the likes of Jayce Hawryluk and Jay Beagle to be playing every game.