Both Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson will miss the start of 2025 for the Vancouver Canucks due to injury. It’s not the best way to ring in the new year with the team scrambling for a playoff spot.
“Some guys are going to get some opportunities.”
Head Coach Rick Tocchet provides some injury updates and speaks on the chances for players to step up. pic.twitter.com/MSpD2xK1Se
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 29, 2024
Hughes, Pettersson Out to Open 2025
Pettersson was injured in the team’s 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks, playing just under 15 minutes that game. His two goals were seen as a sign that his game was back on track after a shaky start. Despite Pettersson’s injured state, he’s still managed 10 goals and 28 points in 34 games this season.
How long he’ll be gone is a mystery, described by coach Rick Tocchet as being “about a week away”. That’s been said before about Pettersson, who has a history of playing through injuries without revealing them. How long Vancouver’s second-leading scorer will be out will only be known in his return.
Vancouver’s leading scorer and captain was also injured during the San Jose game and is out “week-to-week” according to Tocchet. Last year’s Norris Memorial Trophy winner has had an incredibly productive season so far, scoring eight goals and 42 points in just 34 games. Hughes had two assists and nearly 25 minutes of ice time in that San Jose game.
What This Means
Hughes and Pettersson closed 2025 on the sidelines, missing Vancouver’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken. They will also miss New Year’s Eve in Calgary facing the Flames. Vancouver has just five wins in December and has tumbled into wild card territory. While Pettersson’s absence hurts the team up front, there is no replacing Hughes, especially in Filip Hronek‘s continued absence.
The cracks showed when the Canucks blew a three-goal lead with five minutes remaining last game. If there was an internal solution, they would have tried it. As it is, other teams in the league aren’t going to throw life preservers in possible trades. A trade for a top-pair defenceman is difficult at the best of times, and the smell of desperation won’t help.
This might just be a case of riding it out over the next week to ten days, possibly even after their next road trip. Only two of their next eight games are against teams in their division, and those are happening next. It’s unlikely they will be able to trade for any substantial help before then.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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