Canucks Now Without FOUR Players For Starting of Training Camp

The Thatcher Demko situation has been well-chronicled, and the entire hockey world knows that he is not ready for training camp with the Vancouver Canucks. In the last day, we've now also learned that three other players will not be ready for camp, as they recover from offseason surgery.

The most serious of these is newly re-signed Dakota Joshua, who had a frightening diagnosis of testicular cancer this summer, and has had surgery to remove a lump. He says he hopes to return "as soon as possible" and is "working hard every day" to get back on the ice with his mates.

Joshua had a tremendous year as a bottom-six agitator and secondary scorer, notching career highs with 18 goals, 14 assists and 32 points, along with more career-bests of 245 hits and a plus/minus rating of +19. He signed a 4-year, $3.25 million extension this summer.

Another key bottom-six forward, Teddy Blueger also underwent a lower-body surgical procedure over the offseason. He will miss the first week of camp, according to GM Patrik Allvin.

In addition, Cole McWard, a depth defenseman who got into just one game with the Canucks last season, is "week-to-week" as he also recovers from a minor surgery.

Patrik Allvin says Tucker Poolman will not play this season. #Canucks @Sportsnet650
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) September 18, 2024

In one further announcement that does not come as any surprise, Allvin also said that Tucker Poolman will not participate once again in 2024-25. This will be Poolman's second consecutive full season on the sidelines, and he got into just three games in 2022, all on account of migraines that have resulted from multiple head injuries. It's likely that his career is over.