The Vancouver Canucks’ planned return from a COVID-19 outbreak has been delayed.
The NHL has postponed Friday night’s game between the Canucks and visiting Edmonton Oilers.
The league says the decision to extend the period prior to the team’s resumption of play was made to give players and staff additional time for recovery and preparation. The NHL adds it hopes to have a revised schedule on Friday.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager, Jim Benning, doubled down on the league’s reason for the postponement by also suggesting his players needed more time to recover.
The postponement comes just one day after Canucks forward, J.T. Miller, suggested that he didn’t think a return to the ice at this time was safe.
"I don't really feel ready at all." J.T. Miller speaks on the #Canucks current situation.
(Part 1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/JkoV2Esy2O
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) April 14, 2021
“It’s going to be tough for them to bounce back this quickly and tried to play,” Miller said of his teammates who had tested positive for COVID-19.
Miller also emphasized that the players’ health was the priority at this point in time.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Miller told Canucks media. “I know that everybody has a job to do, but to expect pretty much our entire team to be ready to play with one practice and a pregame skate is a little bit hard to comprehend.”
At least 21 players and four members of the Canucks coaching staff have tested positive for the virus since March 30.
The NHL had hoped the Canucks would be playing their first game since March 24 on Friday night against the Oilers and the team was scheduled to have their first full practice since late last month on Thursday.
The Canucks have now had nine games postponed.
Graham Cox
