The Vancouver Canucks have officially shut down Brandon Sutter, Alex Edler and Radim Vrbata for the remainder of the regular season. Sutter has been out since February after suffering a broken jaw, and will not return after having surgery.
The team announced that Sutter will not play again this season after dealing with a jaw injury. Sutter has played just 20 games this season, recording nine points. The Canucks are in playoff position and they likely wanted to be cautious with Sutter coming back from an injury. The team is hoping to avoid any setbacks so that Sutter can be ready for the start of next season.
Sutter was acquired last offseason in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for Nick Bonino and Adam Clendening. Sutter signed an extension with Vancouver for five years and $4.375 million following the trade. The Canucks also announced that Alex Edler and Radim Vrbata will not return this season. Edler suffered a fractured fibula and was on track to be back before the season ended, but the team is opting to not bring back from his injury.
Vrbata is out after dealing with a lower-body injury. Vrbata has played in the most games this season of the three players, recording 27 total points in 63 games played for the Canucks. Vrbata could be done with the team for good, as he will be an unrestricted free agency and may not be re-signed by the Canucks.
Edler has not played for the Canucks since February after suffering a fibula fracture. The team previouls expected Edler back within a month, but he suffered a setback and was placed on long-term injured reserve. Now the team will officially not bring back Edler at all this season. Edler put up solid numbers this season, recording 20 points in 52 games, including six goals and 14 assists.
Edler has been a solid player for the Canucks during his career with the team, but he has continued to deal with injuries during that time. Edler has suffered injuries in each of the last three seasons and has not played a full-season schedule since the 2012 season.
With Vrbata out, the Canucks reportedly have called up Chris Higgins from the AHL. Higgins was previously put in the minors in January after being placed on waivers by the team.
