Dakota Joshua will play tonight with new Canucks linemates
Dakota Joshua is finally set to make his season debut for the Vancouver Canucks.
The power forward has sat out since offseason surgery to address a surprise testicular cancer diagnosis. He’s returned to practice over the last few weeks and now looks set to play his first game tonight.
“It’s like making a major trade. He’s a big kid that’s got great hands,” said coach Rick Tocchet. “We’re really excited having him back.”
Joshua skated on a line at morning skate today but had new linemates. The full forward line rushes were as follows per the team’s CanucksInsider account.
Suter – Miller – LekkerimĂ€ki
DeBrusk – Pettersson – Garland
Heinen – Blueger – Sherwood
Höglander – RĂ€ty – Joshua
Head coach Tocchet had Joshua with Nils Höglander and Aatu RĂ€ty on the fourth line. Joshua’s minutes will be restricted as he continues to work his way into game shape.
The team called RĂ€ty up from Abbotsford this morning as they continue to shuttle him up-and-down to save cap space. Arshdeep Bains was not recalled, freeing up a lineup spot for Joshua to take.
“It’s been a long time coming and it’ll be fun,” said Joshua to reporters this morning.
While the 28-year-old will eventually be relied upon as a key penalty killer and likely see some power play time, it’s clear that the Canucks expect to ramp him up slowly. It’s unlikely he plays much on special teams tonight.
Lines at #Canucks morning skate:
Suter-Miller-LekkerimÀki
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Sherwood
Höglander-RĂ€ty-Joshua pic.twitter.com/zuRxNKzL4a— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) November 14, 2024
Joshua had a breakout season last year with 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 63 games. He was on pace to break the 20-goal mark before missing time after hurting his hand in a fight.
“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in,” continued Joshua.
The winger showed a lot of chemistry with Conor Garland last season. It’s an intriguing duo that the Canucks can experiment with again this season, although Garland has established himself as a top-six player.
In other lineup news, Jonathan LekkerimĂ€ki is still on J.T. Miller’s line. The budding star had a solid NHL debut last game and got minutes on the top power play unit, a position he kept at morning skate today.
Goalie Kevin Lankinen is expected to start in net.