Bruce Boudreau Issues Several Injury Updates as Canucks' Hurdles Mount

First, he announced that Tucker Poolman was placed on long-term injured reserve, adding $2.5 million in related cap relief. Poolman's concussion history is suspected to be the root of his absence, as he publicly dealt with chronic migraines as recently as this past spring. But the club has kept tight lips around it, for obvious reasons.

Second, Boudreau announced that star defenseman Quinn Hughes is week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. Also week-to-week is defenseman Travis Dermott; also undisclosed. Are you sensing a pattern?

Riley Stillman and Brock Boeser are considered day-to-day, both undisclosed.

The Canucks' desperation grows and grows with each passing day, and these holes in their lineup won't make things any easier. Two of their next three games are against top clubs in the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins; they do play in Seattle in between there, but none of those games are sure-wins.

They do have one thing working for them in their games against Carolina, however.

The Canucks need to dig deep and find a way to win, or this team could be in for a major shake-up.