InSoM- Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Higgins is out tuesday with a Staph infection in his foot From http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=382044 VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks will be without the services of red-hot winger Chris Higgins in Tuesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche.Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Higgins suffered a recurrence of a staph infection in his foot that sidelined him for several games last season with the Florida Panthers. "(Higgins) came in (Monday) morning. His foot was all swollen up," Vigneault said. "According to what he's telling us, he had the same thing happen to him last year in Florida. Initially there, I think he missed six or seven games. They thought it was a skate bite, and then they thought it was a spider bite and then they finally figured out that it was a staph infection." Vigneault said Higgins was due to visit an infection specialist Monday. The Canucks have recalled Viktor Oreskovich from Chicago of the AHL to take Higgins' spot in the lineup. "Hopefully, with their experience in the past, they can get this under control real quick," said Vigneault. "What I saw with his foot (Monday), I don't think he's going to play (Tuesday). But, hopefully, (his absence) won't be long." The 28-year-old Higgins, a native of Smithtown, N.Y., recorded a goal and two assists in Sunday's 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames to extend his points streak to four games. With 17 points, he is well on his way to surpassing the 23 he produced last season with Florida and the Canucks, who acquired him at the trade deadline to help with their run to the Stanley Cup finals. Higgins' absence means Vigneault will inevitably revamp his second unit, which includes David Booth and Ryan Kesler. The trio of Higgins and Detroit-area products Booth and Kesler, dubbed the American Express Line because of their U.S. birthplaces, combined for eight points in the one-sided win over a Calgary club that lost for only the second time in six games. All three had slow starts to the season, Booth first with Florida before a trade, but they have come on strong lately and helped the Canucks (15-10-1) post six wins in their past seven games. Oreskovich is expected to play a fourth-line role. Higgins' injury gives the 25-year-old Whitby, Ont., native a second chance with the Canucks. He was demoted earlier in the season after the Canucks picked up wingerDale Weise on waivers from the New York Rangers. Oreskovich, known for his toughness and physical play, has a modest one goal and four assists and just six penalty minutes in 11 games in the AHL. "He just got back playing," Vigneault said. "He was out with a concussion for some time. They played three games on the weekend. They played three games in three nights, and we heard he played really well. So, for what we need right now, we'll call him up and put him on one of those lines." Meanwhile, winger Aaron Volpatti spoke to reporters after learning Saturday he is out for the season due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require surgery. Volpatti said he originally hurt the shoulder when he was hit by Los Angeles Kings' defenceman Matt Greene in November. He aggravated it Thursday when someone fell on him in the game against Columbus, in which he scored his first and last goal of the season. "It's tough, obviously," Volpatti said about the timing of the diagnosis in relation to his first goal. "But things happen and you've just got to move on." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibowtime Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 @D_Booth7David Booth heal me oh lord and i will be healed; save me and i will be saved, for you are the one i praise-Jer 17:14 Nice Shutout, hatty, & WIN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Just a question, for Pinizotto and Volpatti's "season ending injuries", would they be available to us in the playoffs? How long does shoulder surgery take to heal up, 6 months? If that's the case wouldn't Pinizotto in particular be able to play for us in say the 2nd or 3rd rounds onwards? We may need a boost if we lose more forwards down the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiDeN Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Booth needs to get better quick, he was becoming a force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Just a question, for Pinizotto and Volpatti's "season ending injuries", would they be available to us in the playoffs? How long does shoulder surgery take to heal up, 6 months? If that's the case wouldn't Pinizotto in particular be able to play for us in say the 2nd or 3rd rounds onwards? We may need a boost if we lose more forwards down the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccc44 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 It's not like 'season-ending injury' is a declaration we won't play them again this year. If they do heal up while we have games remaining, they certainly could play for us. Get on that rehab, boys! Considering what we've seen, I can definitely see Gillis having a little more urgency to improve the team. Everyone talks about Ballard, and despite his better play of late, his contract is a weight we don't need. If we could swap him for either more affordable or better defensive help and get some bottom 6 help along with it, that might be a good deal for Gillis to make. He'll likely test the waters though, and give it some time to play out before he does anything as the injuries we've seen to our more important players are much shorter term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucks all the way Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Any news on Booth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt1891 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Anyone know if Higgins is playing tomorrow? I know he took the trip, so I'm hoping he plays, especially with Booth out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Any news on Booth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winthecup Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Anyone know if Higgins is playing tomorrow? I know he took the trip, so I'm hoping he plays, especially with Booth out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hornet Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 Higgins is back in the line up and will play tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don't.Mess.With.Kes<3 Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 As soon as player has a great game they get injured...ughhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hornet Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 Don't worry CDC, Cody is apparently fine according to Dan Murphy's Twitter: AV - Cody is fine, he wanted to play but medical staff kept him out. We'll have a good idea tomorrow of where he's at. http://twitter.com/sportsnetmurph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don't.Mess.With.Kes<3 Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 What happened to Hamhuis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hornet Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 What happened to Hamhuis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panjodh Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 I hope booth gets a quick recovery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggy Fresh Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Anything new on Hodgson? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hornet Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 Anything new on Hodgson? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeparrosesmustache Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Any more updates on Bitz status other than him skating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hornet Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Any more updates on Bitz status other than him skating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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