Green opts for caution in planning Edler’s return
SAN JOSE, CALIF. Alex Edler didn’t face the Sharks on Friday, but signs point to him making his return tonight against the Kings in Los Angeles.
The Vancouver Canucks’ big blue-liner has been on the shelf for almost a month with a sprained medial collateral ligament. He’s been skating with teammates since last weekend, but coach Travis Green said a cautious approach was prudent.
“He’s not going to play back-toback (games),” Green said Friday morning. “There’s a chance he plays Saturday (in L.A.).”
TRAVEL TROUBLES
Reid Boucher has 10 goals in 12 AHL games this season and Green indicated that was a big factor in why the Canucks decided to call him up.
And if Boucher hadn’t experienced problems getting from Utica, N.Y. to San Jose, he might even have been in the lineup on Friday night.
The winger was set to fly out of Syracuse, N.Y., the airport nearest to Utica, on Thursday afternoon, with plans to make a connecting flight from Washington, D.C. to San Jose.
But the plane had mechanical troubles in Syracuse. He missed his D.C. connection and spent the night in the American capital.
He was on a 6 a.m. Friday flight from Washington and only arrived at the rink shortly before the Canucks took the ice.
Green said the call-up was due to Boucher’s offensive skill set and the player said he knows that’s what will keep him in the league.
“That’s what my game is, I believe I can do that at this level,” he said. “This is the league I want to play in. ”
HEALTH CONCERNS
Sven Baertschi’s struggles to recover from a concussion are concerning.
The Swiss winger tried to skate last weekend, but quit after 15 minutes because of dizziness, a headache and blurred vision.
“He’s not doing great,” Green said. “Hopefully he’s back at some point. But we’re not going to rush.”