The verdict is in for power forward Dakota Joshua's return to the Vancouver Canucks

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Maverick Mitchell
October 27, 2024 (2:37 PM)

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With the Vancouver Canucks on a 4 game winning streak, the team is not looking to make any major lineup changes. But now, with Dakota Joshua almost ready to return from his cancer surgery rehab, he will be a welcomed addition.

It was announced yesterday (October 26th) that Dakota Joshua was seen practicing ahead of the teams matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the one thing that spectators noticed was that he was not in his red "non-contact jersey".

Dakota Joshua in white practice jersey same as all the other forwards at #Canucks optional skate. Hasn't been and likely won't be much contact here with 11 skaters on the ice.

Even though their was little risk for contact at an optional pre-game skate, it appears Joshua is making strides from his cancer recovery and is progressing to be able to return sooner rather than later.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet had previously said on Friday that the 28-year-old was very close to being cleared for contact and this new development proves him right.

The 28-year-old power forward has become a major fan favorite after his breakout year last season with the Canucks that saw him score 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games. It was expected that he was going to carry that caliber of play into the 2024-2025 season, but over the summer he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Surgery was performed to remove the lump, and with with recent reports indicated it was his choice to move forward with contact and he would be ready in 1-2 Weeks, fans could expect him much sooner than that.