Vancouver Canucks Injury Update: Virtanen "Should Miss Only a few Days"
Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen left his first preseason game early with a shoulder injury, but is expected to return soon.
Jake Virtanen’s shoulder was thought to be fine. But in the Vancouver Canucks’ first preseason game against the San Jose Sharks, Virtanen did not return for the last period, after injuring that very same shoulder once again.
Good news came a day later: Virtanen should be fine.
According to Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun, Virtanen shouldn’t miss much time.
Indication on Jake Virtanen is bruised shoulder. Should miss only a few days. #Canucksgoodnews
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacVanSun) September 29, 2016
That is not only good news for the Canucks, but especially for Virtanen personally. After making the team out of training camp last season as a big surprise, many expected — or still expect — Virtanen to start the 2016-17 campaign in the American Hockey League. There are worse things in life, but you can be sure Virtanen wants to do everything in his power to remain with the NHL team.
His injury came at a most unfortunate time, especially because he was reunited with Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi to form one of Vancouver’s most exciting lines. A long-term injury would have shattered all his — and our — hopes.
Still, even missing just a few days, and therefore a few games, sucks for Virtanen. He needs every chance to prove himself, and you can’t really do that with an injured shoulder.
Once the Canucks start filling their roster with NHL veterans, including World Cup of Hockey participants Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Loui Eriksson and Jannik Hansen, finding a way back into the lineup will get tougher and tougher.
At this point, Virtanen can only hope his shoulder heals quickly. Because his spot with Baertschi and Horvat could be gone very soon.
The Canucks will play their next preseason game in Calgary on Friday, September 30. Virtanen is unlikely to return that soon, but he could come back for the match up against the Sharks — who else — on October 2 or the Arizona Coyotes on October 3.
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