Report: 2 Key Canucks Expected To Return Next Season After Prolonged Absences

It's been a long time coming for two Canucks middle-six forwards, and a long road back from frustrating injuries. But the latest reports have both Ilya Mikheyev and Tanner Pearson being ready for the start of the 2023-24 season.

For the 1st time since Jan 27th when he was shutdown because of knee surgery, Ilya Mikheyev has started skating.

Agent Dan Milstein : We expect Ilya to be ready for the 2023-24season.#Canucks

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 28, 2023

Mikheyev is back on the ice for the first time in six months after ACL surgery. His agent says he'll be ready for the start of the new campaign. 

The 28-year-old originally sustained the injury during the preseason last fall, but it was his decision, after consultation with doctors, to try to play through it. After 46 games, in which he notched 13 goals and 28 points, it was decided that it was time to go under the knife at the end of January. 

For Pearson, going into the final year of his contract with a $3.25M cap hit, the latest update is that he'll be ready for the start of camp, after multiple surgeries to repair a hand injury. 

“The indication I got from his agent and from our medical staff is that the hand is healed, and Tanner is working really hard to be the in his best shape and participate in training camp," said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin. 

Pearson originally suffered the hand problem back in November, and there was alleged bungling by the team of the injury, with teammate Quinn Hughes even claiming that it “wasn't handled properly."   

Pearson was a 20-goal scorer as recently as 2020, but injuries have cost the now almost-31-year-old plenty of games since then. Hopefully he'll be able to re-establish his value as a middle-six contributor going into his UFA year. 

Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports