Canucks defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is Out for “Some Weeks”

Photo: NHL.com

Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet said on Saturday that defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (OEL) would be out for “some weeks” after sustaining an ankle injury in a game against the New York Rangers last Wednesday.

Ekman-Larsson, who’s had a less-than-desirable season for a player with a cap hit of $8.25 million, had scored only two goals in 54 games played in 2022-23, adding 20 assists before getting injured.

OEL wasn’t the only bad news regarding Vancouver’s defense on Saturday; Travis Dermott was placed on the IR. In a corresponding move, the Canucks recalled Christian Wolanin for the American Hockey League Abbotsford Canucks.

While it’s no understatement to say the Vancouver Canucks are having a disappointing season. They sit sixth in the NHL Pacific Division and 15 points behind the Minnesota Wild for the Western Conference Wildcard-2 spot with a 22-30-4 record.

What looks like a lost season in Vancouver, now would be a perfect time, with injuries mounting, to give some of their younger players in the AHL a chance to get some NHL experience.

Jack Rathbone would be the top call-up if Vancouver gave some of their youth a chance to play in the NHL.

Rathbone, a fourth-round pick (95th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft. He has spent most of his professional playing career in the AHL, appearing in 41 games compared to 23 NHL games over three seasons after two seasons at Harvard University.

After averaging over a point a game in his first two seasons in the AHL, Rathbone experienced a down season so far with Abbotsford in 2022-23.

Jack Rathbone

AHL Stats

  • 2020/21 • 8 GP – 2G – 7A
  • 2021/22 • 39 GP – 10G – 30A
  • 2022/23 • 19 GP – 2G – 7A

What is the worst thing that can happen?

Simple. The Canucks are so bad they increase their chances in the NHL Draft Lottery and give themselves a better shot at landing a generational talent who currently plays in the Western Hockey League for the Regina Pats, one named Connor Bedard. Who happens to be from North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Plays like this would make Canucks fans forget about the 2022-23 season.

It’s usually not a good thing for a team to have injuries this time of year but With the #NHLTradeDeadline on March 3 less than two weeks away, having already traded away Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders could look to move other players, such as Luke Schenn and Brock Boeser, maybe the Ekman-Larsson injury helps makes accepting losing in the short term for long term gain a bit easier and allow the franchise to evaluate what they may or may not have come through the organization’s prospect pool.

Stanley Cup Aspirations Cue’ the Duck Boats Pod

The boys are back after a long break but have plenty to talk about as the playoffs are in full swing. We go series by series, looking at how teams have fared so far and who will come out on top. Thanks for listening! Please rate and review our show on your favorite listening platform. Check out our partner's website at www.insidetherink.com for all your latest hockey news.
  1. Stanley Cup Aspirations
  2. The Final Countdown
  3. Here Come the Playoffs
  4. Home Stretch
  5. Kevy Cooks

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Tanner Jeannot of the Los Angeles Kings

Player Profile: Tanner Jeannot

Tanner Jeannot was born on May 29, 1997, in Estevan, Saskatchewan. The left-shooting forward played for three seasons with the Estevan Bruins from 2010-13. In his first two seasons with the U15 club, Jeannot scored 29 goals and collected 18 assists in 42 games and five goals and three assists in ten postseason games. Jeannot […]

Read More
Gage Goncalves of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning Make Significant Player Signings To Start July

As free agency has started in the National Hockey League, many teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, are making significant roster moves with free agents and player extensions. Just yesterday, July 1, for day one of free agency, the Lightning extended young 24-year-old Portuguese forward Gage Goncalves to a two-year contract worth $1.2 million a […]

Read More
William Moore 2025 Draft Profile

Breaking Down Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney’s Draft

Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has been in his position for ten years now and has seen success with one Stanley Cup Finals appearance and one historic regular season. This past season was the first time since 2016 that the Bruins failed to make the playoffs. Sweeney has added pieces to the prior core […]

Read More