Not gonna lie. When I saw the news on the Sportsnet scrolling marquee that Colorado's Kevin Porter was suspended for 4 games for his knee-on-knee hit on David Booth I was surprised at the length of the suspension. I didn't think it was intentional. I knew Porter had a clean track record in the NHL. But the boys threw the book at him. Here is why:

Huh. Well what the hell do I know, anyway? I was wrong. I thought he'd get a slap on the wrist or a warning. But I think I am lost in the incidences recently where no discipline was handed out at all. But hey, Booth is out for over a month and kneeing is a violation of NHL policy. Whatever. Glad I don't have Shanny's job.

Aaron Volpatti tore his labrum (shoulder) last game against the Predators and requires surgery. The Canucks page on Twitter is saying he is done for the year. On a related 4th line note: Byron Bitz (hip surgery) skated for the first time today. Mason Raymond was going to bounce Volpatti from the line up anyway I'm sure, even though Voltron scored a his first goal of the season last game. So who's the new 13th forward? Victor Oreskovich? Mike Duco? Obviously The Stanchion would love to see Mark Mancari called up. Lots of options there.

The Canucks' Twitter page also reports that Roberto Luongo and Sami Salo (phew) will play against the Flames on Sunday.

Harrison Mooney at Pass It To Bulis theorizes that Cory Schneider is getting so many starts because the Canucks are showcasing him, and that he gets moved by the trade deadline for a top 4 defenceman. I say this is quite likely, even though Mike Gillis says otherwise. Mooney also thinks it is quite possible that Keith Ballard will not be wearing a Canucks uni by season's end.

The mindset change in regards to goaltending in Vancouver continues as Cory Schneider will start against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday (his 6th straight start). Wow. Said Luongo today: "Schneider has been unreal. He's been working hard for 2 years and never said a word so he deserves every minute he's getting now."

Mason Raymond has told Alain Vigneault that he is ready to go, and now he awaits the call from the coach. That could come tomorrow if Alexandre Burrows' wounded hand keeps him out of the lineup. Burrows is listed as probable for the BJ game. Burrows did not practice on Monday but you know who did?

Alex Edler.

Follow Jason Botchford for more Canucks news.

I have to eat dirt. Kesler originally wanted to return by the beginning of the season, but was being over-anxious. His return date is not known. So, I was on the NHL.com Canucks-Ducks page and there was a  Kesler aiming for season opener headline on the side. I had a mini orgasm of sorts and jumped the gun on this post, which has now been corrected.

So flame away! I'll just be over here in the corner putting some sauce on my crow hoping to make it taste better.

More news on the Kesler front...and the ladies and gay men will love this: The KesLord is reportedly going to pose near-nude in ESPN The Magazine's annual "Body" issue. An example of what has appeared in that issue in the past:

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Not much talk about this yet, but the Canucks have invited former NHL goalie Manny Legace to Camp. The 38 year-old played in Germany last year. He won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2002, as Dominik Hasek's backup and has had several other notable NHL seasons sprinkled in his NHL career. At 5'10" he's a bit short compared to the goalies nowadays. For the time being, if Legace can earn a roster spot, it will be bumping 28 year-old Matt Climie down the depth chart on the Chicago Wolves' roster. Either that, or we can start some trade speculation....

If you don't read Swedish newspapers then you missed a minor Henrik Sedin injury situation in Sweden. The first headline at Hockeyexpressen on September 1 roughly translated into: "Vancouver's Stone: Henrik Sedin Damaged." It was reported that Hank injured his hip playing in a "ploy match". What the hell is that? Damn Swedish-to-English translators. I'm guessing it means a ``fun game`` in Sweden. Daniel had showed up in Vancouver unaccompanied by Hank and then the news broke. The next day, Hank's agent Claes Elefalk told Hockeyexpressen that Hank had tweaked his hip but is 100% fine.

Apparently, Mikael Samuelsson's groin had been bothering him for 2-3 years. He says he is 100% as well.

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I've created a stir on Twitter because I have heard today (and this is the "joy" of living in Smithers) that Dan Hamhuis' injury, which I'm hearing is his groin, is serious and that he is out for the remainder of the playoffs. Whether it's his groin or his ribs it really doesn't matter. Hammer has not practiced with the team since the injury occurred in Game 1 and like Dan Murphy said on Twitter moments ago: that isn't good.

Murphy is trying to contact the team for confirmation but you know he's going to get either the "day-to-day" line from Alain Vigneault or the "erroneous" from Mike Gillis. Hey, if the source I heard it from is wrong I will be happy. But watch the clip of the hit again:

Maybe Lucic's knee smashes his ribs during the check. But it looks more to me like as soon as Hammer lands on his feet again and puts weight on that left leg...down he goes. And he was limping badly when he was heading to the dressing room. I know Elliot Papp was saying that Hammer was not limping when he boarded the charter for Boston yesterday but...

We'll see. Just so you know though: the Canucks are 13-6 when Hamhuis was not in the lineup this year (and that's counting OT/SO losses as outright losses). Lots of depth on D!

Jason Botchford is at Rogers Arena this morning and has reported that both Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard were skating hard with Canucks' skills coach and looking good doing it. Botch projects Hamhuis to be ready tonight or Tuesday and that Ballard may need a few more days of skating before he plays. More official news to come after the team's game day practice. Always appreciate Botchford's updates. Check his tweets for quick updates.

UPDATE According to Botchford, Hamhuis passed all the concussion tests today and feels he is ready to go. But the team has told him that Tuesday is the day. Ballard did not participate in the team skate. Via CDC, Hammer talks to the media after practice.

UPDATE: Dan Murphy projects Ballard to return on Thursday against the Blues.

The Canucks have gone from amazing depth on defence to nearly scraping the bottom of the barrel. With Keith Ballard falling to the ice and his knee twisting in an ungodly fashion in the process against the Senators, the current Canucks defensive corps looks like this:

Bieksa-Hamhuis

Ehrhoff-Alberts

Rome-Tanev

Who would have thought that we would be perhaps praying for the return of Sami Salo so desperately? Sami will play another game for the Moose on Tuesday evening and then let the Canucks know afterward if he is ready to rejoin the squad. Lee Sweatt has a wrecked foot and remains on the Canucks' payroll on the IR. Alex Edler is out until late March at the earliest.

The Province correctly points out that Kevin Connauton is probably not ready for the bigs yet and Ryan Parent would need to clear re-entry waivers if another injury occurs / Salo is not ready. I think we should be thankful not only for the depth that we currently have, but also for the team's performance so far this season. Vancouver holds a 9 point lead over the Red Wings for first overall in the Western Conference and an 18 point lead over the Flames for the Northwest Division lead. That's a lot of padding in case the sky falls a bit.

As for Ballard, who was fitting in just fine and dandy, an MRI today will determine his fate, according to Alain Vigneault. The image doesn't promote much positivity. A sprain or a tear to his knee....could be weeks could be near-season-ending. In the meantime the Canucks' D needs to cope in the face of adversity. If Salo is not ready then Andrew Alberts needs to shine with extended minutes and Chris Tanev will need to continue his solid defensive play. Replacing Ballard, if you look at his stats, doesn't mean scoring, killing guys every shift or leading the team in takeaways. It means playing a responsible defensive game and being aggressive.