Jeff Vinnick
Kevin Bieksa is the latest casualty on the Vancouver Canucks blueline.
Bieksa is expected to miss Thursday's game in Nashville, and could be shelved for up to three weeks with a fractured left foot.
The defenceman blocked a shot in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild and hobbled to the dressing room. He returned to finish the game, and Canucks officials were not concerned when asked about Bieksa's condition Wednesday.
But the NHL team has recalled Evan Oberg from the AHL's Manitoba Moose, who could become the 13th Canucks defenceman to dress this season. The Canucks are currently playing without Alexander Edler (back surgery), Dan Hamhuis (concussion), Keith Ballard (sprained knee), Andrew Alberts (wrist surgery) and Lee Sweatt (broken foot). Three rookies - Oberg, Chris Tanev and Yann Sauvé - are expected to dress against the Predators.
General manager Mike Gillis suggested Wednesday that both Ballard and Hamhuis are progressing with their recoveries and could be back next week.