The Canucks defencemen might endure surgical procedure within the coming weeks, which might imply he’d begin subsequent season on the injured listing.
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A wrench has been thrown into the Vancouver Canucks’ defence plans for the 2023-24 NHL season.
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Ethan Bear might have shoulder surgical procedure, a supply confirmed to Postmedia Friday following a report by CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal.
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Bear suffered the damage throughout final month’s IIHF World Championships, the place he was taking part in for Canada. The specifics of the damage aren’t recognized.
Bear might endure surgical procedure within the coming weeks, which might imply he’d begin subsequent season on the injured listing. The surgical procedure might assure a long-term repair for his shoulder.
Or he might rehabilitate the damage, which might imply he’d be prepared at first of subsequent season, giving the Canucks their splendid defensive lineup. However the threat of reinjury would stay, which might result in a extra sophisticated surgical procedure later.
The Canucks didn’t reply to a request for remark.
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It’s difficult timing for Bear and the Canucks.
Bear is slated to be a restricted free agent this summer time and wishes a brand new contract. The Canucks spoke positively about him on the shut of the season, itemizing him among the many staff’s key gamers.
Bear was an early-season pickup in a commerce with the Carolina Hurricanes and completed sturdy below new coach Rick Tocchet.
His negotiating place appears stable, given the excessive reward from the staff and that the Canucks dearly want gamers who’re above the extent of sixth or seventh defencemen.
A two-year deal is an inexpensive place though a one-year deal appears seemingly given his damage.
At a minimal, Bear is due a US$2.2 million qualifying provide. If he had been to simply accept that supply, he’d have a contract for subsequent season, then would want to barter a brand new deal in a yr’s time.
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The surgical procedure might set him up for a late begin to the season, which might intervene along with his assumed purpose of taking part in arduous to earn a elevate.
This provides uncertainty to Canucks’ planning, regardless of whether or not Bear has the surgical procedure now or not. The Canucks are eager to have a powerful begin after faltering badly out of the gate the previous two seasons and lacking the playoffs.
This uncertainty factors to the Canucks eager to have a contingency plan in place.
Outdoors of Tyler Myers — and Myers’ ability set is in decline, removed from the type of participant Bear is — there are not any apparent alternate options to Bear who’re already below contract. The Canucks re-signed AHL veterans Guillaume Brisebois and Christian Wolanin, however each are left-shots. Their two right-shot prospects, Filip Johnasson and Jett Woo, want extra time within the AHL even when the Canucks assume they’re near taking part in NHL video games.
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If the Canucks are capable of purchase a participant both by way of a signing or a commerce, who might they park within the wings on a what-if foundation and trust of their match?
Alternatively, if Bear’s not prepared to start out the season, they’ll must discover a participant who can stand in for him, one who’d seemingly be shuffled down the pecking order when Bear returns.
Neither is a perfect state of affairs.
It makes you marvel if the Canucks will flip towards Kyle Burroughs, Noah Juulsen or Luke Schenn.
All three are free brokers this summer time. All of them confirmed properly in a Canucks uniform this previous season, though none of them is greater than a bottom-pairing defenceman.
Schenn and Juulsen performed properly alongside Quinn Hughes in a spot that Bear usually stuffed final season and the place he stands an excellent probability of filling it once more subsequent season.
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Originally posted 2023-06-09 22:01:58.
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