Canucks’ Pettersson Diagnosed with a Concussion

Rookie sensation Elias Pettersson will miss a minimum of seven to ten days with a concussion. Pettersson suffered the injury on Saturday after a questionable hit from Panthers’ defenseman Mike Matheson.

The NHL announced on Sunday that Matheson will have a hearing on Monday for “interference/unsportsmanlike conduct on Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson.” Matheson has not faced supplemental discipline before, save for a fine for diving last season. His clean record will likely be a factor in determining his punishment.

The former No. 5 overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Pettersson has enjoyed a red-hot start to his career. He’s posted five goals, three assists, and 13 shots on goal through his first five NHL games. His injury is a huge blow to Vancouver’s offense and it leaves the team without a viable second-line centre.

The Canucks also announced forward Jay Beagle is expected to miss four to six weeks with a fractured forearm. Beagle suffered the injury after blocking a Mike Hoffman slapshot on Saturday. The former Washington Capital has one assist in five games for the Canucks this season.

In a corresponding move, the Canucks reportedly recalled top-prospect Adam Gaudette from the Utica Comets (AHL).

A former fifth-round pick in 2015, Gaudette blossomed into a perennial point-producer in his final two seasons at Northeastern University. He registered 30 goals and 30 assists in 38 games last season. His AHL career is off to a productive start, as he’s logged two goals and two assists through four games. Gaudette has offensive upside and could potentially centre Vancouver’s second line in the interim. The Canucks’ next game is in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.