Report: Vrbata's injury not as serious as some feared

 

It was a fun night at the rink last night as the Vancouver Canucks did something they haven’t done in a long time: win a game at home.

With stellar play from Ryan Miller and 7 points combined from Henrik and Daniel Sedin, the Canucks beat the Avalanche 5-1. But perhaps the most encouraging thing to happen, one week before the trade deadline, was the strong play of slumping sniper Radim Vrbata.

[am2_see_also]

Vrbata hit a post early in the game and late in the 2nd period, he bumped his slump. Vrbata popped in a rebound by Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov to make the game 3-0. It was his first goal in 14 games.

Apparently, it sent the press box into a frenzy.

Every scout up here was scribbling detailed notes after Vrbata's goal. Not even joking. #canucks

— Paul McLellan (@McLellanPaul) February 22, 2016

Vrbata is the most likely candidate for the Canucks to trade before Monday’s trade deadline, given his age, talent, and expiring contract. Having him pad his stats a little before then should be music to the ears of Canucks management.

Unfortunately, the party was short-lived. Vrbata left the game with an apparent leg injury.

Vrbata ends 14-game goal drought, but pulled something last shift and has now gone to the locker room

— Kevin Woodley (@KevinisInGoal) February 22, 2016

Vrbata appeared to catch a rut in the ice, falling awkwardly. It was one of those bizarre looking injuries that can be devastating.

Luckily for Vancouver, it appears that the injury to Vrbata might not be as serious as originally feared.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, one of the most reliable insiders in the game, Vrbata’s injury is not serious.

Early word on Radim Vrbata — injured last night vs COL — is positive. Not believed to be a serious injury.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 22, 2016

So don’t take Vrbata off your trade board yet! With just two games to go before the deadline, he may have played his last game in a Canucks uniform.