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Derek Dorsett's career comes to an end as Vancouver Canucks take on Preds |
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Thursday November 30 - Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators - 5 p.m. - Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet 650
Vancouver Canucks: 25 GP, 11-10-4, 26 pts, fifth in Pacific Division
Nashville Predators: 24 GP, 15-6-3, 33 pts, third in Central Division
We knew November was going to be a tough month for the Vancouver Canucks, and sure enough, the schedule has taken its toll.
The month wraps up tonight with the Canucks concluding their road trip against the surging Nashville Predators but the big news of the day was this morning's announcement that Derek Dorsett's hockey career is over.
Doctor Robert Watkins, who performend Dorsett's surgery last year, said his new symptoms were a result of "a cervical disc herniation adjacent and separate to his previous fusion." The condition poses serious health risks if he keeps playing, so the decision has been made for him to hang up the skates.
After Dorsett's impressive start to the season, this is a sad but not entirely unexpected turn of events. Dorsett did very well to get his rehab to the point where he was able to get back on the ice, and he made the most of every minute this season.
Highlights were his magnificent shut-down effort on Connor McDavid on opening night and his offensive outburst in October, when he scored six goals in seven games.
Dorsett's last fight was a symbol of his approach to the game. After the Canucks gave up a goal just 23 seconds into their November 14 contest against the Los Angeles Kings, Dorsett dropped the gloves off the ensuing faceoff with Andy Andreoff—a wake-up call that couldn't prevent the Kings from scoring the next goal, but arguably sparked the Canucks enough for the team to earn a 3-2 comeback win.
It's no exaggeration to say that Dorsett was the heart and soul of this year's Canucks team. His absence has been noticeable on this road trip, and will continue to create a void going forward.
Tonight, they're going to try to win one in honour of their teammate.
Originally drafted 189th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2006, Dorsett overcame long odds to carve out an NHL career. His intensity and willingness to go to battle for his teammates are what got him and kept him in the league—he played just 71 games over two seasons in the AHL.
Dealt to the New York Rangers as part of the Derick Brassard-Marian Gaborik trade-deadline deal in April of 2013, Dorsett was acquired by the Canucks in exchange for a third-round draft pick in June of 2014. The move reunited him with his old WHL coach from the Medicine Hat Tigers, Willie Desjardins.
Now 30, Dorsett's career ends with 515 career NHL games, 51 goals, 127 points and 1,314 penalty minutes. He led the league in PIMs with Columbus in 2011-12 and with Vancouver in 2015-16—and his old Blue Jackets teammate Ryan Johansen told Jeff Paterson today in Nashville that first title came as no accident.
Of course, today's news can also be seen as an opportunity for the Canucks' young players, as a roster spot has now become available. Over the long term, Brendan Gaunce is probably the player who will benefit most. He's not as tough as Dorsett but can play that grinding game and eat up tough minutes.
For tonight, Travis Green is shuffling his roster to get Nikolay Goldobin into the lineup for the first time this year.
No word yet on who's coming out to make room.
Despite giving up five goals against the Islanders on Tuesday, Anders Nilsson will make his second-straight start for the third time this year.
The Canucks' 3-5-2 record over their last 10 games is the worst in the Western Conference, and has caused them to slip out of a playoff spot over the last week. By contrast, Nashville is 8-1-1 over their last 10—tops in the league. They haven't lost outright since November 16.
If you saw the Preds in the playoffs last year, you know their success comes from a deep and balanced lineup that makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts. Filip Forsberg is the only player averaging more than a point a game and their special teams are strong—both the power play and the penalty kill rank third overall in the league.
Ryan Ellis skated with the Preds for the first time today after his offseason knee surgery, but is still expected to be a little ways away from getting back into the lineup. Our old pal Yannick Weber is also currently sidelined with a lower-body issue, as is veteran winger Scott Hartnell.
This'll be our first time seeing our other old friend, Nick Bonino, in a Predators jersey.
Pekka Rinne, as usual, draws in between the pipes.
Enjoy the game!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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