samirjaver Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 http://blogs.theprovince.com/2012/08/02/agent-says-kesler-sidelined-until-december-following-offseason-shoulder-wrist-surgeries/ Ryan Kesler will be ready for the next NHL season following offseason shoulder and wrist surgeries — if the schedule commences in December because of a possible lockout — and Eddie Lack will be ready to accept a suitable contract and take another development step with the Chicago Wolves. The clarity comes from their agent Kurt Overhardt. Last week, it was suggested by general manager Mike Gillis on the TEAM 1040 that Kesler was “slightly ahead” of schedule from May 8 shoulder surgery. It may have given the impression that if start of the season isn’t jeopardized by failure to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, the Vancouver Canucks centre would perhaps return in October — even though the sixth-month recovery window would be Nov. 8. That’s simply not the case, according to his agent. “It’s not happening,” Overhardt said Thursday. “He’s not ahead of schedule and there’s no rushing him back. He’s on course to return in December and he’s not returning until he’s 100 per cent. Don’t expect him until December.” That’s not the only issue with Kesler. He also had minor surgery on his left wrist June 27. Two days later on his Twitter account, a group picture showed Kesler in a sling and his wrist in a cast with a caption that read: ‘Great times in Michigan.’ “He had been experiencing some mild discomfort and had some tendon issues that needed to be cleaned up,” confirmed Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman. It explains a lot. Occasional hip-flexor stiffness from a previous procedure, a wonky shoulder and a bothersome wrist greatly affected Kesler’s shot and battle level last season in dropping from a career-high 41 goals to 22 and no goals in five playoff games. After amassing 17 points in a 15-game span in December, scoring in five-consecutive games from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, he then went eight without a goal. He suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Feb. 9 but played through it. The Kesler recovery adds fuel to the fire that the Canucks may consider unrestricted free agent centre Jason Arnott as a third-line centre, who could also fill in on the second line. While the Canucks are high on Jordan Schroeder and could use Maxim Lapierre in that capacity, they also need a veteran presence and size to push for a return to postseason prominence. As for Lack, the restricted free agent goaltender didn’t accept his qualifying offer and despite rumours he would return to his native Sweden to resume his career, that’s also not the case. He’s expected to eventually sign a flexible long-term contract because of a possible lockout to provide some stability and security and allow the towering stopper to develop in the same manner that Cory Schneider did with the Manitoba Moose. It will also provide another season of overall maturity and allow the Canucks to search for a short-term backup fix once the Roberto Luongo trade is completed. Last season, Lack earned $67,500 at the AHL level in an expiring contract that had a $900,000 salary cap hit and the NHL level including performance and signing bonus structures. “We keep talking to the club and everything is positive in respect to that,” said Overhardt, who knows that his client is probably a year away from being a capable NHL backup to Schneider. “It’s not a race. He’s still very young and Eddie is going to be in the NHL when he’s 25. It’s a smart man’s approach to developing a hockey team.” Lack had a 2.31 goals-against average, four shutouts and .925 saves percentage during a roller-coaster 21-20-3 regular season in a league that is often wide open because it separates contenders from pretenders and scrambled play is the often the norm. Even in the pressure-packed playoffs, Lack kept the numbers good with a 2-2 record, 2.17 GAA and .917 saves percentage. That’s progress. OF NOTE — A contract structure for coveted unrestricted free agent Shane Doan wasn’t discussed Tuesday at a dinner to introduce the winger to the Canucks organization, according to Gilman who signed Doan to his first NHL contract. “I know him but he had not met Mike [Gillis] or Francesco [Aquilini], so we spent some time getting to know each other and letting him get familiar with our organization and discuss where he would fit. It was an opportunity for him to learn about us and for us to get an understanding of what he’s about and what he’s looking for.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigs Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 You sure? I think we'll see him earlier than that, as he won't be able to control the beast within and will have to unleash it on the rink. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Is he more than 91% sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigs Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Is he more than 91% sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
250Integra Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
key2thecup Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 To Team: Make sure he is 100% first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grapefruits Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Is he more than 91% sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckRow Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 This is why Shane Doan is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I kinda expect the locked-out league schedule to be started on January anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 One thing that we should've learned through the years is that both GM's and agents lie about everything. My hope is that Kesler is not only 100%, but has also spent some time working on his shot again. He lost his 'a' shot last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
key2thecup Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Good. I don't want him back 50% and get injured again. We really need him for the Playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L'Orange Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 So samjam, Lack only made $67,500 last year in the AHL? Wow he is a deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raph Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Guess Kesler realizes he doesn't need to rush back as Hodgson has no chance of taking his #2 spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everybody Hates Raymond Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 In October and November (assuming Luongo is still on the roster and we sign both Doan and Arnott): Sedin - Sedin - Burrows Booth - Arnott - Doan Higgins - Lapierre - Hansen Raymond - Malhotra - Kassian Weise - Ebbett - Pinizzotto* Edler - Garrison Hamhuis - Bieksa Ballard - Tanev Schneider Luongo In December forwards (assuming Luongo is still on the roster and we sign both Doan and Arnott): Sedin - Sedin - Burrows Booth - Kesler - Doan Higgins - Arnott - Hansen Lapierre - Malhotra - Kassian Raymond - Ebbett - Pinizzotto* Weise* Edler - Garrison Hamhuis - Bieksa Ballard - Tanev Schneider Luongo That would be the best roster the team has ever iced and I would feel comfortable riding a tandem where both goalies play 41 games with. In the playoffs, ride the hot hand. (Not possible due to cap, though) * = extra forwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwnstar Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 dang, here i thought he was going to make the 1st game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JordanEberle Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 This is okay. Im not concerned about us not making the playoffs. We should wait as long as it takes to get him back 100% so he can be a leading force for our team come the post season. We can manage fine until then, even if our record is not as pretty as normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 As long as Kes is 100% I'm ok with it. Good chance for Schroeder to show if he's ready for the big show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L'Orange Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drybone Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Lets make sure Ryan is 100% recovered and ready before he comes back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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