The Vancouver Canucks could be getting a massive injection of energy into their lineup this week.
Dakota Joshua is on the edge of returning. While he’s not going to be in the lineup tonight, he could play as soon as Thursday.
“I don’t want to commit to it but there is a possibility,” said Rick Tocchet.
“We’ll see the conversation I have with him tonight and we’ll go from there.”
The power forward has continued to make strides in his recovery. He had surgery for testicular cancer in early September but has been skating and practicing with the team for the past few weeks now.
Joshua didn’t skate with the team in Anaheim this morning but that was a planned absence, according to Tocchet. He should return to practice tomorrow.
“He’s been going pretty hard so we had a scheduled day off,” said the head coach.
The 28-year-old was huge for the Canucks last season down the stretch. He finished the year with 18 goals and 32 points in just 63 games and brings a physical element the team lacks at times.
Derek Forbort being checked on by Canucks doctors
While the Canucks are getting some good news on Joshua’s injury front, they unfortunately might be losing blueliner Derek Forbort. The defenceman left yesterday’s practice early per The Athletic’s Harman Dayal and did not skate today.
Tocchet wouldn’t divulge much about Forbort’s status except that he’s being evaluated by doctors.
The 32-year-old has only played four games with the team so far this season as he took a personal leave of absence following the death of his father.
When in the lineup, Forbort is a strong penalty killer who can help the Canucks when down a man.