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Vancouver Canucks Brandon Sutter and Josh Leivo Out

Brandon Sutter and Leivo Injured

Brandon Sutter will miss the remaining two games preceding the holidays for Vancouver. So far this season, Sutter has scored five goals and three assists for eight points in 22 games. He has been largely a depth piece for Vancouver. However, still an important one that will be missed. He brings a bit of a physical element and can give the team some jump when it’s needed.

Josh Leivo this season had really started to find a role for himself with Vancouver. In 36 games he has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points. He has become a guy who can play comfortably on just about any line for the team. With his skill and speed, there will no doubt be teams looking at him if things go wrong in Vancouver. However, he has a long way back unfortunately now.

What This Means for the Future

While being without Sutter affects the Canucks’ depth at centre, they are by now used to it. The oft-injured forward has already missed 14 games this season. A healthy Jay Beagle will take some of the defensive burden, shared with Bo Horvat.

Josh Leivo, on the other hand, removes badly-needed scoring depth, possibly for the rest of the regular season. It no doubt frustrates the upcoming unrestricted free agent as well. Leivo was well on his way to career-highs this season in games, goals, and points. Replacing his 19 points with Loui Eriksson‘s single goal is a step-down, and not likely the permanent solution.

GM Jim Benning has already said the team was looking to add a top-6 winger, and this just compounds that pressure. In the short term, at least, it’s likely that Sven Baertschi will be called up. He has had success skating with Horvat in the past and should get a chance to do so again. Assuming he and his agent haven’t burned that bridge.

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