4. Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are finally starting to get healthy, as Brock Boeser recently returned from injury. A break gives players like him, as well as players like rookie defenseman Quinn Hughes, who’s playing in his first full professional season, time to rest and recover from whatever ailments they have.
While it’s not like Micheal Ferland will be able to play again this season or postseason thanks to concussion symptoms, they could get back a few important players. Jay Beagle missed their game against the New York Islanders. Assuming his injury isn’t major, they’d get him back and he’s an important bottom-six forward for the Canucks.
Defenseman Christopher Tanev is currently listed as being week-to-week. It’s quite likely he’ll be able to get healthy by the next time the Canucks play. Getting back Josh Leivo, who was injured back in December, is plausible and maybe even likely, especially if the season is paused until late April.
The big deal, though, is they’d get their All-Star goaltender Jacob Markstrom back. Since he was injured on Feb. 22 against the Boston Bruins, the Canucks have gone 3-5-0. Getting Markstrom back would be huge for them. In a relatively weak Western Conference, he’s got the ability to steal games, which could help them go on a long postseason run.