The Vancouver Canucks are getting a welcome boost to their forward group when they take on the Detroit Red Wings Monday night.
Forward Nils Hoglander, who has yet to play this season after sustaining a pre-season ankle injury, will make his return to the lineup, coach Adam Foote said Monday.
The speedy winger skated alongside the fourth line during Monday's morning skate.
After a breakout 2023-24 campaign, Hoglander struggled last season, putting up eight goals and 25 points in 72 games.
He underwent lower-body surgery on Sept. 29.
Meanwhile, Elias Pettersson is set to miss his second consecutive game as he continues undergoing evaluation for an upper-body injury.
The team is hopeful it will have an update on Petterson's status on Monday night or Tuesday. He was not on the ice for morning skate.
Pettersson underwent an MRI on Sunday after he was held out of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Wild with the injury.
Pettersson had been set to play in his 500th NHL game — all with the Canucks. He has 193 goals and 286 assists for his career, including eight goals and 14 assists in 28 games this season.
