Vancouver Canuck Carson Soucy is going to be out “week-to-week” with a lower-body injury according to the team. The latest update has the timetable approximately six to eight weeks.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that defenceman Carson Soucy will be out six to eight weeks with a lower body injury.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 15, 2023
"The guys have embraced what we’re trying to do. We have a long way to go but the communication with the group is outstanding. If there’s a problem, we deal with it and they’re not afraid to hear it."
🗣 Coach Tocchet speaks on injury updates, importance of practice, and more. pic.twitter.com/ixfqgO3TdW
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 14, 2023
Carson Soucy Out with Injury, Hirose Recalled
Soucy left the game against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday having played just 8:26. Regular partner Tyler Myers was also injured on the series but returned to finish the game. While Myers didn’t practice today, coach Rick Tocchet said he would be available on Wednesday.
Although he averages just under 17 minutes of ice time, Soucy has been a huge part of Vancouver’s return to respectability. He and Myers have worked well enough together to become a reliable pairing without either getting elevated beyond their abilities. He’s not only helped at five-on-five but is also part of the reason the Canucks penalty kill is a dozen places higher than last season. Adding two goals and five points in 13 games, while nice, is just icing on the cake compared to the stability he provides.
Soucy was signed to a three-year, AAV $3.25 million contract as soon as free agency opened last Summer. The Canucks had plenty of opportunities to scout him, as he was one of the original Seattle Kraken. He was selected from the Minnesota Wild in 2021’s expansion draft and played in Seattle for the next two years.
What Comes Next
The Canucks placed Jack Studnicka on waivers with the intent to send him to Abbotsford. In return, Akito Hirose has been called up to replace Soucy. While Hirose doesn’t bring the 6’5″ Soucy’s physical attributes, coaches and fans liked what they saw of him last year.
Hirose had three assists in his seven-game trial run at the end of 2022-23. This year, he’s played two games with the big club before getting replaced by more experienced defenders. His time in Abbotsford doesn’t look like much (zeroes across the board) but his calm demeanour makes him reliable. Getting points will matter even less in Vancouver than with the AHL club. What the team wants from him is predictability. And at 24 years old, that could be his ticket to a permanent job in the NHL. How extended his opportunity will be this time depends on how seriously he takes it.
Main photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
