The injuries just keep piling up in Vancouver.
Forward Brock Boeser is in concussion protocol after taking a hit to the head from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust on Sunday, head coach Adam Foote told reporters on Tuesday.
Boeser, who was injured in the dying seconds of the game, is feeling better and does not appear to have whiplash, Foote added.
Rust clipped Boeser with an elbow as he skated through the slot as the third period ticked down. The Canucks winger was placed on injured reserve one day later along with defenceman Zeev Buium, who took a puck to the face in the same game. Rust was suspended three games for the hit.
Foote also announced that Buium had suffered a broken cheekbone from the puck that hit him. He is expected to be out until after the Olympic break. Surgery has not been ruled out for Buium.
Meanwhile, the Canucks announced earlier Tuesday that goalie Thatcher Demko would be out for the season after undergoing hip surgery.
Boeser, 28, has struggled some this season with just 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 games. He is in the first year of a seven-year, $50.75 million contract signed with the Canucks on July 1.
The Canucks are back in action Tuesday when they host Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT).
