The Vancouver Canucks' challenging season has taken another hit with two key forwards sidelined for the foreseeable future. Conor Garland and Marco Rossi will both be out of the lineup for a minimum of one week due to injuries, head coach Adam Foote confirmed following practice on Thursday.
Injury Details and Impact on Lineup
Foote revealed that Garland's injury stems from an unpenalized slew foot during Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The specific nature of the ailment was not disclosed. Rossi, meanwhile, is dealing with a lower-body issue. Their absences come at a difficult time for the team, which hosts the Seattle Kraken on Friday and the Boston Bruins on Saturday at Rogers Arena.
Conor Garland, 29, has been a bright spot in a dim season, ranking as Vancouver's second-leading scorer with seven goals and 22 points in 33 games. Only centre Elias Pettersson, with 23 points, has produced more. Garland averages nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game (19:49). His situation is particularly intriguing from a team-building perspective. He is in the final year of a contract carrying a $4.95 million salary cap hit and possesses no trade protection. A six-year extension signed last summer, which includes a no-movement clause and a raised cap hit of $6 million, begins next season. His tenacious playing style makes him a potential cornerstone for the rebuilding Canucks.
Rossi's Role and Roster Adjustments
Marco Rossi, 24, has quickly become a significant part of the lineup since his acquisition from the Minnesota Wild in the Quinn Hughes trade on December 12. In his eight games with Vancouver, he has averaged 18:42 of ice time, the fourth-highest among Canucks forwards. He has recorded one goal and two points since the trade.
With Garland and Rossi unavailable, the team adjusted its lines at Thursday's practice. Centre Aatu Räty and winger Nils Hoglander, who were healthy scratches in the Flyers game, skated on the fourth line alongside Liam Ohgren. Their return to the lineup came after Jake DeBrusk and David Kampf were reinstated for the previous game in Seattle.
Broader Context for a Struggling Team
These injuries add to the mounting challenges for a Canucks squad languishing near the bottom of the NHL standings. The loss of two regular top-nine forwards for a minimum of three games further tests the team's depth as they seek to reverse their fortunes in the new year. The organization faces critical decisions ahead of the trade deadline, with players like Garland potentially drawing interest, though his future role in Vancouver remains a topic of debate given his contract status and value to the team's identity.
