Filip Hronek's Sudden Absence Causes the Vancouver Canucks to Make Some Drastic Changes
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
The Vancouver Canucks took to the ice yesterday in preparation for Sunday's clash with the Calgary Flames and shook up their lines amid Filip Hronek's absence.
After falling the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, the Vancouver Canucks are back in action tonight against the Calgary Flames as Adam Foote's group looks to finish their short two-game homestand strong before heading out on the road for four.
"It was probably our best game of the year. We frustrated them. The second period, we pretty much dominated that period. You could see it in their game. It was good." Foote said after Thursday's loss.
Injuries have been causing the Vancouver Canucks issues all season long and at practice on Saturday morning, the club was without top pairing defenseman Filip Hronek, which was later clarified as illness-related by Thomas Drance of The Athletic.
"Filip Hronek's absence is illness related. #Canucks" Drance said on X.
Vancouver Canucks' Adam Foote shakes up lines at practice on Saturday
As the Canucks went through line rushes yesterday, it appears that Adam Foote wanted to make some changes to his group, albeit small ones, but ones he hopes will get them the two points against Calgary.
Kiefer Sherwood's time in the top-six is now over as he slides down the third line with Aatu Raty and Drew O'Connor, while Jake DeBrusk takes his spot on Vancouver's first line with Elias Pettersson and Evander Kane.
Vancouver's second and fourth lines stayed the same however as Brock Boeser was with David Kampf and Conor Garland, while Max Sasson centered Mackenzie MacEachern and Linus Karlsson, signalling that Lukas Reichel, who is reportedly on the trade block, will sit out for a second consecutive game.
Meanwhile for the defensive pairings, Tyler Myers was with Quinn Hughes due to Filip Hronek's absence, Marcus Pettersson with with Pierre-Olivier Joseph and rounding things out on the third pair was Elias Pettersson and Tom Willander.
"#Canucks skating in the following line and D-paid combinations at practice on Saturday:
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Kane
Boeser-Kampf-Garland
O'Connor-Räty-Sherwood
McEachern-Sasson-Karlsson
Hughes-Myers
Pettersson-Joseph
Petey Jr. - Willander
Filip Hronek absent today." Drance said.
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Kane
Boeser-Kampf-Garland
O'Connor-Räty-Sherwood
McEachern-Sasson-Karlsson
Hughes-Myers
Pettersson-Joseph
Petey Jr. - Willander
Filip Hronek absent today." Drance said.
We'll have to wait and see if there are any last minute changes to Vancouver's lineup tonight, and if Filip Hronek will be able to suit up, when Adam Foote meets with reporters later this afternoon.
Puck drop for tonight's game against the Calgary Flames is set for 6 p.m. PT and can be viewed nationally on Sportsnet and Sportsnet One.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 23 | 1273 ANSWERS Filip Hronek's Sudden Absence Causes the Vancouver Canucks to Make Some Drastic Changes Do you think Filip Hronek will suit up for tonight's game against the Calgary Flames? | ||
| Yes | 930 | 73.1 % |
| No | 343 | 26.9 % |
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