Vancouver Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa is set to make his return to the Canucks Saturday. Out ten weeks because of severed tendons in his leg, Bieksa said doctors cleared him to play Thursday. "I'm ready to play and I think I've been ready to play for a bit," Bieksa said. "The last little part usually takes the longest. I've... [...] Continue reading...

Kevin Bieksa will have an MRI today in Phoenix. He was cut above the left ankle Tuesday night by Coyotes' Petr Prucha. It is not known if Bieksa will miss the New Year's Eve game against the St Louis Blues. He's joined at least temporarily on the sidelines by Willie Mitchell. About 20 minutes ago, The Province's Jim Jamieson reports... [...] Continue reading...

Could Kevin Bieksa — yes, the defenceman Kevin Bieksa — be on the Canucks' top line tonight? That, according to Province hockey writer Ben Kuzma, is how it's looking. Kuzma, who's at the Canucks' skate in St. Paul, Minn., ahead of tonight's game against the Wild, says it appears that Bieksa will play on the right wing... [...] Continue reading...

Wednesday's Canucks-Rangers game — the third period, in particular — offered some insight. In the latest instalment of Tony Gallagher's Tony Talk podcast series, Gallagher addresses one-word descriptions that could be attached to various players. Like, for instance: Henrik Sedin/gutsy. Kevin Bieksa/menacing. Ryan Kesler/creative... [...] Continue reading...

Most knew the Canucks were going to use a defenceman as a forward for the fourth game in a row. Few thought that blueliner was going to be Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks highest-paid defenceman is set to play out of position tonight against the NY Rangers, on the right wing. It makes for a motley looking third line which also includes Kyle Wellwood and Tanner... [...] Continue reading...

The Canucks could use a win. Kevin Bieksa could use some sleep. Bieksa became a father for the second time overnight when his wife Katie gave birth to a baby girl named Reese in Vancouver. Naturally, the new dad was not at the Canucks' gameday skate. The club reports that Bieksa will play tonight if he's up to it. Our vote: let the guy enjoy... [...] Continue reading...

Neither Brad Lukowich nor Mike Funk were with the Canucks Tuesday because the defencemen were put on waivers along with fellow blueliner Lawrence Nycholat. The waiver process lasts 24 hours before the Canucks must decide what to do with them. And that's only if they aren't picked up by another team. Funk spent last season with Portland of the... [...] Continue reading...

It's Wednesday. Tony Gallagher's in game-shape. Maybe not mid-season game-shape, but hey, who is? In the latest edition of Tony Talk , our man's always-listenable and often-entertaining (even informative) podcast, Tony's got a few things on his mind. Among them: 1. How vital it is, this season above all, to win home games. With that... [...] Continue reading...

The Anaheim Ducks will see a slightly more NHL-caliber team than the people of Terrace did. The Canucks, in their second preseason game, will ice a team featuring 11 Canucks who were with the team at the end of last season: Steve Bernier, Kevin Bieksa, Alex Edler, Michael Grabner, Darcy Hordichuk, Ryan Johnson, Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond, Sami Salo... [...] Continue reading...

Kevin Bieksa confirmed today that he will play game five Saturday night. Bieksa appeared to injure his left knee Thursday night in the first minute of overtime. He didn't return, though the game ended just minutes later. Bieksa, who wasn't limping today at the optional practice, wouldn't confirm that it was his knee but admitted that it... [...] Continue reading...

Despite reports which implied otherwise, Canucks GM Mike Gillis said key defenceman Kevin Bieksa will play in Game 5 Saturday. "Kevin's fine," Gillis said on the TEAM 1040 morning show. "Kevin won't be an issue (Saturday) night." Bieksa appeared to hurt himself in overtime when he limped off the ice and sought medical attention... [...] Continue reading...

You wanted it, you got it. Our annual Canucks playoff poster series — OK, technically not annual, since the Canucks haven't had the consistency of the Red Wings — returns in Thursday's Province. Your first poster boy: #14, Alex Burrows. You'll get a new poster daily. In Thursday's paper, along with the full game one preview... [...] Continue reading...

Kevin Bieksa's loss is Lawrence Nycholat's gain. Bieksa, the Canucks' top-scoring defenceman, will miss at least two weeks with a fractured left foot. It happened Nov. 4 when he blocked a shot; Bieksa played through the pain for two more games. He'll miss Saturday's home game against Toronto and, at very least, the entire four-game... [...] Continue reading...

The Canucks will be without their top defenceman for at least two weeks. Early Thursday, an X-ray revealed Bieksa has a hairline fracture on his foot. He was hurt when his teammate Michel Ouellet wired a slap shot off his left foot in a game against Nashville. Bieksa has played three games since then. Bieksa was at a charity function Thursday night... [...] Continue reading...

DETROIT — The Canucks are expected to make a decision Thursday if Kevin Bieksa will be back with the team before the end of this current six-game road trip. Bieksa can join the Canucks in Chicago Saturday and be on the ice again when they play the Blackhawks Sunday. "I think there's a good chance," head coach Alain Vigneault said. "He's receiving treatments... [...] Continue reading...