With two defensemen, Alex Edler and Ryan Stanton, out indefinitely with injuries, Canucks coach John Tortorella will turn to little-used veteran Andrew Alberts tonight in Dallas.
But the fact Alberts is being forced into the lineup doesn’t leave the coach feeling entirely comfortable, according to the Vancouver Sun.
“Andrew has practiced hard with us, but just hasn’t had a lot of game time in any league,” said Tortorella, noting that Yannick Weber “had some game looks” with AHL Utica before replacing Edler the past three games.
“But it is what it is, [Alberts] is going to go in, we are not going to whine about this. All teams go through it, we just have to find a way to be the best that we can be.”
Alberts, 32, has appeared in just six games for the Canucks this season, averaging only 5:40 of ice time.
Vancouver plays tomorrow in Chicago and hosts Winnipeg Sunday before a six-day stretch without a game. If Alberts struggles, it’s possible young Frankie Corrado could be called up from the AHL.
Nothing new from #canucks on Ryan Stanton excpet for Tortorella saying he would be out "for weeks".
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) December 19, 2013
Torts says Edler not even close to returning. Won't see him any earlier than the new year. #Canucks
— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) December 18, 2013