The Canucks defensive depth is about to get tested once again as they found out today that defenceman Kevin Bieksa will be gone indefinitely after breaking his hand in yesterday’s game with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Kevin Bieksa out indefinitely with a broken hand. Multiple fractures. Requires surgery. #Canucks
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) January 22, 2015
Bieksa, who broke his hand blocking a Victor Hedman slap shot, is going to require surgery.
Bieksa has not been having a good season this year, playing much of it without defence partner Dan Hamhuis, who returned from an injury just two games ago.
Still, Bieksa is an important member of the Canucks defence that is paper thin after their top four. He isn’t in the class of Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis or even Chris Tanev anymore, but he is still a cut above the remainder of the blueliners. The Canucks will miss his physical presence and leadership.
With Bieksa out long-term, they will likely turn to Frankie Corrado and Yannick Weber to fill the void on the right side. They may also turn to Weber or Dan Hamhuis to quarterback the second power play unit.
If Corrado doesn’t prove to be an upgrade on the likes of Luca Sbisa, Ryan Stanton and Yannick Weber, the Canucks might be in the market to acquire a defenceman via the trade route.
Feature Image: tsn.ca
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