Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote Gives Key Injury Update on Derek Forbort

The Vancouver Canucks are coming off an 8-1 drubbing of the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night and Adam Foote's group will look to carry the good vibes into tonight's preseason finale against the Edmonton Oilers.

With just one preseason game left before the regular season begins, the Canucks' coaching staff doesn't have much time left to figure out who they want on their opening night roster and with just three days to go until that roster needs to be submitted to the National Hockey League, it looks like an issue has popped up on the blue line.

During the third period of Wednesday's game in Calgary, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Derek Forbort played just one shift, which left many wondering if he suffered an injury.

The 33-year-old was not on the ice at practice on Thursday, according to Jeff Paterson of Canucks Army, but was at the UBC facility with the team, albeit in his sweatsuit.

After practice, Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote told reporters that Derek Forbort was not on the ice for "load management", but didn't clarify why he only played one shift in the third period the night prior.

Foote went on to add that Forbort, along with Pierre-Olivier Joseph - who is dealing with a minor issue - won't be suiting up for Friday's game against the Edmonton Oilers, presumably to keep them both ready for next Thursday's season opener.

Forbort, a native of Duluth, Minnesota, re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks back in June, on a one-year deal worth $2 million US, a $500,000 bump in pay after registering 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 54 games during his first season in British Columbia.

Puck drop for tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers is set for 7 p.m. PT and can be viewed across Canada on Sportsnet.