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Emergency Call-Up: Vancouver Canucks Confirm the Worst for Dakota Joshua & His Injury
Photo credit: Sammi Silber-The Hockey News
Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced a pair of roster moves on Monday, moving Dakota Joshua to injured reserve retroactive to January 3 while calling up Jonathan Lekkerimäki from the AHL.
Lekkerimäki is being recalled from Abbotsford on an emergency basis, but head coach Rick Tocchet hasn't confirmed if the young forward will be in the lineup on Monday night in Montreal.
The 20 year old forward is one of the Canucks top prospects, joining the organization as a first round pick in the 2022 NHL draft and making his NHL debut earlier this season.
In a 5 game stint with the big club, Lekkerimäki has potted his first NHL goal, and in the AHL he's been a force scoring 12 goals and 5 assists in 21 games.
With today's roster move, Lekkerimäki becomes one of 12 healthy forwards on the roster, and will likely suit up in Montreal unless Tocchet opts to dress seven defensemen.
Vancouver Canucks lose struggling Dakota Joshua
Dakota Joshua was injured in the Canucks Friday night loss to the Nashville Predators during a collision with defenseman Roman Josi and teammate Teddy Blueger.
Joshua left the game but returned for a few shifts in the third period, which gives reason for optimism about the recovery timeline, but the suspected leg injury is bothering him enough to keep him out tonight.
The big winger is on the first year of a four year extension worth $3.25 million per season, missing a handful of games to start the season after recovering from surgery for testicular cancer.
Joshua provided depth scoring and physical play for the Canucks last season, but has struggled since returning to the lineup managing just 4 points in 24 games.
Unfortunately, Head Coach Rick Tocchet confirmed that Joshua will be out longer than expected, as the team placed him on the IR on a week-to-week basis.
Tocchet on Joshua, who has suspected leg injury from Friday collision: "It's week-to-week, but it's not like a three weeks type of thing. The last two or three games, he was starting to chip away at his identity and feeling good about himself. And he hits a speed bump."
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 6 | 253 ANSWERS Emergency Call-Up: Vancouver Canucks Confirm the Worst for Dakota Joshua & His Injury Does Jonathan Lekkerimäki have a chance to stick with the Vancouver Canucks for the remainder of the season? | ||
| No, not this year | 63 | 24.9 % |
| Yes, but he'll have to be great | 148 | 58.5 % |
| Yes, he's almost a lock | 42 | 16.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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