Vancouver Canucks: Sven Baertschi injured, what it means
The injury-riddled Vancouver Canucks received more bad news on Sunday, as Sven Baertschi is expected to miss the rest of the year with a shoulder injury. Here’s what it means for Baertschi and the team going forward.
The definition of Murphy’s Law should probably be changed to “Anything that could go wrong for the Vancouver Canucks will go wrong,” because a dismal season received even more bad news on Sunday.
Head coach Travis Green said that Sven Baertschi will likely miss the rest of the season due to a separated shoulder:
Baertschi has a separated shoulder and is most likely done for the year, confirms Coach Green.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 4, 2018
It’s frustrating for the team and fans, but obviously more for Baertschi. He already missed several weeks after suffering a broken jaw, but was very close to setting a career high in goals and in points. He finishes the season with 14 goals and 15 assists, just when he looked poised to reach 20 tallies for the first time in his career.
Last season, Baertschi scored 18 goals and 35 points in 68 games. He formed terrific chemistry with Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser early in the season, and the ‘Killer B’s Line’ was one of the league’s best early on.
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But when Baertschi and Horvat both went down in December, the Canucks quickly fell out of the playoff race and haven’t escaped the Western Conference basement. It’s been a very difficult season for the Canucks, who’ve seen too many impact players go down to injury.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Loui Eriksson is done for the season after suffering a fractured rib.
With these two wingers out, coach Green will probably look to give the likes of Jake Virtanen, Nikolay Goldobin and Brendan Leipsic more ice time.
Baertschi is a restricted free agent, and should seek at least $2.5 million per season. However, general manager Jim Benning will have to be weary in negotiations, as Baertschi hasn’t been able to stay healthy at all in his young NHL career.
At the 2015 trade deadline, Benning landed Baertschi from the Calgary Flames for a second-round pick, and he’s provided ample offence up front. Baertschi should be a key part of the Canucks rebuilding process, but they simply need him to be healthy in 2018-19 and beyond.
The season can’t end soon enough for the Canucks, who are trying to avoid a bottom-three finish for the third-straight season. Without Eriksson and Baertschi, the Canucks will need more out of their wingers – specifically Virtanen and Sam Gagner.
Next: Roundtable: Trade deadline fallout, fan reception
On the bright side, Baertschi showed what he could do on a line with Horvat and Boeser. Should he avoid IR next season, we could see the Swiss standout take off for real in 2018-19.