... For this one, you can skip past shock, even though it's an injury virtually unheard of in hockey (the on-ice version, anyway). It's Salo's 40th injury and our senses have been so dulled by that numbing count, this one barely registers on the surprise meter. Salo, 35, has been injured in so many wild and unexpected ways — the badly bruised testicle and pulled buttocks leap to mind — his injuries, and the subsequent jokes, have become tired cliches...

... Gillis has been patiently accepting offers for Kevin Bieksa while strongly hinting to others he just may keep him, even if Bieksa is Vancouver's sixth-best defenceman and has a $3.75 million cap hit...

... Many have jumped to the conclusion the Canucks will be forced to keep Bieksa because of Salo's latest ailment. Some have argued they may not have a choice. If Salo's recovery is slow, Bieksa is the team's only right-handed shot, unless Willie Mitchell enters the equation. In addition, if Salo is out, Bieksa is traded, and Mitchell moves on, Shane O'Brien jumps to the No. 5 slot and Andrew Alberts gets plenty of playing time. Not appetizing at all.

But, that said, can Canucks afford to keep Bieksa?

Consider this, Bieksa has missed more games than Salo because of injuries in the past four seasons. Can any NHL blueline afford to have both the injury prone Bieksa and the injury plagued Salo in the same top six? And do it for a robust $7.25 million combined cap hit? Would anyone want to?...

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/hockey/canucks-hockey/Salo+injury+woes+joke+that+worn+welcome/3315730/story.html