Could Canucks be delayed again due to COVID-19 issues?

A general view of an empty Rogers Arena after the game between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to COVID-19. Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Could Canucks be delayed again due to lingering COVID-19 issues?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/15/21

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller said he thought he and his teammates were being rushed back from the COVID-19 pause that has kept them out of action since a March 24 loss to the Winnipeg Jets and resulted in at least 25 people associated with the team testing positive for the coronavirus.

Vancouver remains scheduled to resume its season Friday night versus the Edmonton Oilers, but ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports that is not yet set in stone.

After a Zoom meeting w/ NHLPA last night, some Canucks players are getting medical evaluations + cardiology screenings today.

Then, decision will be made by NHL, NHLPA & Canucks on how to move forward with the schedule. As of now, Van is playing back to back Friday/Saturday.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 15, 2021

Members of the Canucks only returned to official team practices this week, and the club is currently set to play 19 contests in 31 days to complete its full 56-game schedule even as some players are still recovering from virus bouts. It's known that one player required an IV at his home, and Miller said Wednesday that some were "struggling to breathe going up and down steps."

If the Canucks are cleared to play Friday, they'll then face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Last weekend, the NHL confirmed the all-Canadian North division will play regular-season games through at least May 16 even if the other three divisions start postseason matchups by that time. What happens if Friday's Canucks-Oilers game is scrapped is anybody's guess at this stage of a process that has little to do with on-the-ice action for Vancouver players.

"I hope people don't take this the wrong way. I'm a super competitive guy," Miller said Wednesday. "But this isn't about hockey for our team. This is about the health and safety of our players, their family and their children. This isn't about making the playoffs."

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