In the first two months of the NHL season, most everything broke favorably for the Canucks and rookie coach Travis Green. But for the second time in two weeks, one of the league's biggest 2017-18 upstarts delivered grim news on the injury front Thursday.
Bo Horvat, Vancouver's No. 1 center and the biggest reason for its early-season success, will miss multiple weeks with a fracture in his right foot, Green announced.
Horvat was injured Tuesday in a 3-0 win over the Hurricanes when his right leg jammed awkwardly against the end boards on a check from Carolina defenseman Noah Hanifin. He didn't return to that game, but Green had downplayed the injury as "small" afterward. That was before team doctors determined the extent of the damage.
MORE: NHL's worst injuries in 2017-18
Speaking prior to Horvat's scheduled MRI Thursday night, Green said the Canucks could be without their best offensive player up to six weeks. That news is especially troublesome given the absence of No. 2 center Brandon Sutter, who hasn't played since Nov. 24. And it arrives barely a week after Derek Dorsett announced his sudden retirement.
Coach Travis Green isn't dwelling on the loss of Horvat. “It’s a good opportunity for someone to step up. Next in line.” pic.twitter.com/MlD5txe08c
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 7, 2017
The Canucks have exceeded all expectations thus far, entering Thursday's games in third place in the Pacific Division.
Horvat, in his fourth NHL season, has 10 goals and 20 points in 28 games, and his role can't be overstated. He's the Canucks' most important player and has helped rookie linemate Brock Boeser to a team-leading 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists).
Any way you slice it, this is about as unfortunate as it gets.
