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Erik Gudbranson to have wrist surgery, no recovery timeline announced

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 08: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) skates in the first period of the NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 08, 2016, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson skates in the first period of the NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 08, 2016, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Getty Images)

The Vancouver Canucks announced rugged defenseman Erik Gudbranson will undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his wrist.

The team expected a full recovery for Gudbranson, but said they could not announce a timeline until after the surgery was completed.

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“Erik suffered ligament damage to his wrist this season that has affected his wrist function,” general manager Jim Benning said in a statement released by the team. “Continued treatment and rehabilitation have not improved his condition and Erik and our Canucks medical team believe that surgery offers the best long-term outcome and are confident in a full recovery. Erik’s leadership qualities and strong physical presence will be missed but this is a decision that best supports a long, productive and healthy career.”

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported the 24-year-old blue liner could be out “months” with the issue.

Gudbranson was scratched because of the wrist injury for Vancouver’s Dec. 16 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was the only game he had missed all season until that point. In his last game, an 8-6 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, Gudbranson played 21:16.

Vancouver’s blue line has been hit with health issues all year. Alex Edler underwent surgery to repair a fractured index finger in late November and is in the midst of a 4-6 week recovery. Puck-moving blue liner Chris Tanev has only played eight games this season because of an ankle issue.

In 30 games this season Gudbranson had one goal and five assists while averaging 20:20 of ice-time. He held a 46.17 5-on-5 adjusted CF% and a minus-2.06 CF% relative while 5-on-5.

During the offseason, the Canucks acquired Gudbranson and a 2016 fifth-round draft pick from the Florida Panthers in a trade for young forward Jared McCann, a 2016 second-round pick and 2016 fourth-round pick.

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The move was also reportedly somewhat controversial within the Panthers. Recently fired coach Gerard Gallant supposedly wanted to keep the physical Gudbranson, but team management wanted to build their defense differently.

Vancouver is currently 13-16-2 with 28 points. This ranks 28th out of 30 teams in the NHL.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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