Brendan Gaunce went under the knife back in April, undergoing shoulder surgery after rest and rehabilitation did not do enough to heal the labrum tear he suffered in March. The prognosis for recovery at the time was four to six months, suggesting that if all went perfectly, he could return in time for training camp.
According to Jim Benning, that won’t be the case, as his recovery is expected to keep him out until early November.
That’s tough news for Gaunce, who is looking to build off a rookie campaign in which he was solid defensively, but scored zero goals. For the players looking to make the Canucks’ roster out of training camp, however, this is welcome news, as it opens up a spot in the bottom-six.
So, who is helped the most by Gaunce’s extended absence?
Scottie Upshall and Ryan White
The Canucks have two veterans signed to Professional Try-Out contracts and both are experienced fourth-line forwards. Neither was expected to have much chance of making the Canucks lineup, but Gaunce’s recovery certainly makes it more likely.
Of the two, Upshall likely benefits more from Gaunce being out of the lineup with his strong defensive game and penalty killing acumen, whereas White is more of a Derek Dorsett-type, who has a better chance of making the lineup if Dorsett has issues with his own injury recovery.
Jake Virtanen
The Canucks’ most contentious prospect could benefit the most from Gaunce missing the start of the season. With his hard-hitting style, Virtanen can effectively play a bottom-six role even if the Canucks hope he can develop into a top-six forward.
Virtanen could really use a win after a disappointing year in Utica where he had just 19 points in 65 games and too often wasn’t a factor for the Comets. But the Canucks noticed a change in his approach and dedication last season that could serve him well, particularly considering his familiarity with new Canucks head coach Travis Green.
Griffen Molino
After his standout performance in his first Young Stars game, fans are starting to board the Griffen Molino hype train. While fans should probably take some advice from Al Green and back up that train, Molino has made himself a candidate to step into that fourth-line role vacated by Gaunce.
Like Gaunce, Molino can play at either left wing or centre, making him a versatile option if he impresses during the preseason.
Zack MacEwen
The two most likely candidates to play centre on the fourth line for the Canucks this season are Alexander Burmistrov and Brendan Gaunce. With Gaunce out to start the season, that opens the door for another centre to perhaps out-battle Burmistrov at camp to earn the role.
One candidate for that role is Zack MacEwen, who has the size, speed, and style to play a fourth-line role and is one of just a few centres on the depth chart.
Joseph Labate
Labate has become somewhat of a forgotten prospect for the Canucks, but he was a standout in the preseason last year with his 6’4” stature and wrecking ball approach to the game. It was enough to get him into 13 games with the Canucks last season and another standout preseason could earn him some fourth-line ice time until Gaunce returns.
Nikolay Goldobin and Anton Rodin
Benning has expressed a desire to have a fourth line that can score, so it’s possible that they won’t look for a role player — a grinding, fourth-line type — to fill Gaunce’s skates. That opens the door for skilled scorers like Goldobin or Rodin, possibly even Reid Boucher, to play in Gaunce’s stead.
If the Canucks really want a scoring fourth line, of course, they could put Sam Gagner at centre with both Goldobin and Rodin.
Michael Chaput and Jayson Megna
Remember these guys? They’re still around. While neither would be the most exciting option, both played a lot of games last season on the Canucks’ fourth line and would be mostly capable fill-ins for Gaunce for the first month of the season.
Sure, Megna or Chaput making the lineup out of training camp might cause a literal riot, but at least it will provide an economic boost to the local torch and pitchfork industry.
