It’s been a rough stretch for the Vancouver Canucks, and Monday brought more tough news on the injury front - this time involving a pair of promising young players in Brock Boeser and Zeev Buium.
Just hours before their matchup against the San Jose Sharks, head coach Adam Foote addressed the media with updates that no team wants to hear. Both Boeser and Buium are sidelined following injuries sustained in Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins - a game that’s now left more than just a mark in the standings.
Let’s start with Buium. The 20-year-old defenseman took a puck to the face off a Tommy Novak shot midway through the first period.
Despite the impact - later confirmed to have fractured his high cheekbone - Buium returned to the game wearing a full fishbowl visor and logged over 15 minutes of ice time. That’s not just gutsy - that’s the kind of resilience coaches and teammates remember.
“I really love his toughness,” Foote said. “For a young guy to come back and play like that, it says a lot. You could tell he wasn’t the same, but he battled through it.”
While initial evaluations suggest surgery won’t be necessary, Buium is expected to seek a second opinion in the coming days. The swelling around the injury has clearly affected his game, but the fact that he pushed through and played speaks volumes about his mindset - something that bodes well for his future.
Then there’s Boeser, who’s currently in concussion protocol after taking a late-game elbow to the head from Penguins forward Bryan Rust. The hit - which also involved contact from behind - drew a three-game suspension for Rust.
As for Boeser, the early signs are cautiously optimistic. According to Foote, Boeser reported feeling “a lot better” the day after the game and noted that the injury wasn’t as severe as some he’s dealt with in the past.
“He didn’t feel it affected his neck, which was a concern,” Foote said. “He got hit from behind at almost the same time, so that was a worry.
But Brock’s tough. Hearing him say this isn’t as bad as before - that’s a good sign.”
Foote added that Boeser is expected to be out for about a week, provided his recovery continues on the current trajectory.
With both players out, the Canucks are making some lineup adjustments. Jonathan Lekkerimäki will step into Boeser’s spot on a line with Filip Chytil and Drew O’Connor. On the blue line, PO Joseph draws in for Buium and will pair with veteran Tyler Myers.
And while the team tries to patch the holes in the lineup, there’s also a bit of a setback elsewhere. Marco Rossi, who had been trending toward a return, reportedly hit a snag in his recovery. The hope is that he’ll be back following the Olympic break.
Add this to the earlier news that Thatcher Demko is done for the season due to hip surgery, and it’s clear the Canucks are being tested - not just in the standings, but in their depth and resolve. Still, with young players showing grit and veterans stepping up, this group isn’t folding. They’re just finding out what they’re made of.