By: Trent Leith / November 8, 2024 Dakota Joshua has not yet played a game for the Canucks this season. In September Joshua went public with the reason, telling the media he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and would be out indefinitely while he recovered.
“Unfortunately, I will not be ready for the start of training camp as I continue to heal from surgery,” Joshua said in a statement put out by the Vancouver Canucks, “I plan on returning to play as soon as possible this season and I am working hard every day [to] re-join my teammates.”
And it finally seems like he could return anytime now.
“He’s a part of our family away from his family, and he’s a huge part of this hockey team,” J.T. Miller said of his teammate and his recovery, “He’s such a character in the sense of a voice in the room and keeps it light, but also is a hell of a hockey player on the ice, too.”
Miller continued, “So, he brings so much to this team, but personally none of this matters, it’s just about how he is and his health and the fact that he’s feeling well enough to hopefully be back soon or whatever his case is, is awesome. He’s gone through a lot and I like to think that, we’re his family away from home, we’ve got a ton of support here and guys love him so we’re just happy for him.”
Joshua signed a four-year, $3.25M AAV in the summer. This is Joshua’s first contract to crack $1M a year, and more than two years of term. The new $13M contract comes after Joshua had a career year of 18 goals, 14 assists and 245 hits in 63 games.
Despite their 6-2-3 record this season, the Canucks have yet to play their best hockey this season. A part of it has been the team struggling to find its identity as Tocchet tries to encourage more offense, without giving up on the defensive staples that saw this team excel last season. Another part of the puzzle has indeed been that one of their most important depth pieces has yet to lace up.
Earlier in the week it seemed like, there was a chance that Joshua would make his season debut on Thursday in L.A., but as we got closer to the game, Tocchet ruled him out. Joshua has been skating with the team for about two weeks and is nearing a return, which begs the question: Where will he play?
Wet His Feet First
I’m no coach, but I think the best bet for Joshua is to get back into mid-season form in a bottom-six role. Daniel Sprong has yet to find the trust of Rick Tocchet and has only found the back of the net once so far this season. So with that being the case, Joshua would make a perfect candidate to slot into the fourth line with Nils Höglander and Aatu Räty.
“He can add a boost to our team with that, with winning battles. Just his presence in front of the net, he’s a tough guy to play against. Anytime you add a guy like that to the lineup it’s contagious.” Tocchet told the media.
Joshua is no stranger to playing in a fourth-line role, despite being a solid middle-six player for the Canucks last season. He should have no issue slotting in for a limited role down the line-up.
Top-Six Dak
Once his feet are found and he is ready for more ice time, Joshua should slot back alongside Conor Garland. It is no secret those two have chemistry, unlike any other pair of players on the team. Not only is Joshua at his best alongside Garland, but Pettersson seems to be playing his best hockey with Garland too. Pettersson may benefit from playing alongside Garland and Joshua.
Not only is Joshua now being paid as a legitimate middle-six player, but all of last season he played like one too.
The next chance for Joshua to get into the lineup will be Saturday when the Canucks take on the Edmonton Oilers on home ice.