Raining on the Canucks Parade

So this post is gonna rain on the Canucks parade. As if the Canucks actually have a parade to rain on.

Kesler is out for an undetermined amount of time with a fractured right foot. According to the media scrum today, Kesler was experiencing discomfort on the road trip, but 2 x rays showed nothing. Still in some pain, he went for a CT scan after the road trip, which revealed some hairline fracturing.

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't damage the team all that much. Kesler hadn't been playing anywhere near his full potential since he got back from his 1st injury, and the team got along fairly well without him. As for a replacement, Vigneault said that Ebbett is a very likely candidate. Well, it's between him and Steve Pinizzotto. Malhotra isn't a candidate because he was removed for his own protection, so he didn't injure himself further. Gillis and AV both confirmed he wasn't coming back.

 Regardless, Vancouver's lineup will most likely return to what it was before Kesler, but plus Booth. Probably a little like this:

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Raymond-Schroeder-Booth
Higgins-Lappiere-Hansen
Weise-______-Kassian

Ebbett is the most likely winner of the job, mainly because of his experience playing 4th for Vancouver and his maturity, but also because of the state Pinizzotto is in. Pinizzotto has never played an NHL game, despite being called up several times. He struggled with a rash of injuries, and missed to play when Kesler was out earlier this year. If he's healthy, this could be his chance.

In other sad news, Aaron Volpatti was put on waivers this morning. as of yet, no one has claimed him. Volpatti was injured last season, and played 16 games this year. Vigneault said he wanted him to get more minutes and improve his game, and that just wasn't going to happen in Vancouver. If no one claims him, he can get another crack at the Canucks lineup a little down the road. His main game is fighting and the Canucks just don't have a spot in their roster for a full time fighter.