Canucks: Nils Hoglander sidelined 8-10 weeks following ankle surgery

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Nils Hoglander was going to be part of the redeem team.

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After a sour season in which the Vancouver Canucks had too many injuries, too much drama, and not nearly enough goals to miss the NHL playoffs, the bowling ball left winger vowed to rebound from just eight goals. He was targeting the career-high 24 he had in the 2023-24 season.

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Then came Wednesday in Abbotsford. He suffered what was initially thought to be an ankle sprain in a collision against the Calgary Flames. He had surgery Monday and the timeline for recovery is eight to 10 weeks. It has created a void and opportunity on the third line.

Hoglander is a fitness freak. He had worked on his skating in the off-season and was going to get every opportunity to return to his previous form. With Hoglander and Kiefer Sherwood, the Canucks would have iced a pair of agitating wingers who could forecheck aggressively, create havoc, contribute offensively and be responsible defensively.

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At his best, the 5-foot-9, 185 pound Hoglander gets under the opposition’s skin, delivers crunching hits, can make plays and drives the net. At his worst, he’s indecisive and takes bad penalties. That won’t wash with new head coach Adam Foote, who is a stickler on details, and Hoglander was anxious to right the wrongs.

Hoglander, 24, signed a three-year, US$9 million extension last October that kicks in this season. His absence could mean Drew O’Connor gets a look in the spot because he’s big, moves well, and can be creative with the puck. He played well Sunday in Edmonton on a line with rookie Braeden Cootes and Jonathan Lekkerimaki.

The trio had speed, push and a net presence, something Canucks head coach Adam Foote has emphasized to up the pace. After all, the Canucks were 23rd in scoring last season at just 2.84 goals per outing and were 15th on the power play at 22.5 per cent efficiency.

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