What Happened
Vancouver Canucks forward Filip Chytil will not play in Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Manny Malhotra told reporters Friday. Chytil did not practice that day and will have the day off. The 27-year-old is being evaluated for a possible re-aggravation of an upper-body injury he sustained in the pre-season, which kept him out of the Canucks' first eight games. Chytil absorbed a hard hit from San Jose Sharks defenceman Darnell Nurse on Thursday night.
Key Details
- Chytil will miss Saturday's Canucks-Maple Leafs game, per coach Manny Malhotra.
- Chytil did not practice Friday and was given the day off.
- He is being evaluated for a re-aggravation of a pre-season upper-body injury.
- That injury sidelined him for Vancouver's first eight games this season.
- The hit came from Sharks defenceman Darnell Nurse on Thursday night.
- Chytil has two assists in seven games; he has played 34 games in three seasons with Vancouver.
What It Means
Chytil's availability is uncertain beyond Saturday while the Canucks assess whether the pre-season upper-body issue has recurred. He had just returned from that injury, which cost him the first eight games, and has two assists in seven contests. His limited durability has restricted him to 34 games across three seasons in Vancouver, so any extended absence would again test the team's forward depth.
What's Next
The Canucks are expected to provide an update once Chytil's evaluation is complete. Vancouver hosts Toronto on Saturday.