If the NHL and NHLPA were somehow able to reach a new CBA in time to start the season on Nov. 2, Jason Garrison would be ready to go.
The Canucks’ new $27.6 million defenseman has been struggling with a mysterious groin injury this offseason (though it hasn’t stopped him from making new friends in the city), but after skating today in Vancouver, he expressed his readiness for Nov. 2.
“That’s what I’m planning for,” said Garrison (via The Province’s Ben Kuzma). “I’m using this time to make sure [the groin injury] doesn’t come back.”
The 27-year-old also said that groin issues have been ongoing throughout his career; however, this one isn’t a sports hernia.
Canucks GM Mike Gillis confirmed last week on Vancouver radio that Garrison was still working his way back from a groin injury.
“With Jason, we’ve ruled out the possibility he has a sports hernia,” Gillis said. “But it’s kind of like he feels like he’s at 80 or 85 per cent all the time and getting that extra 10-15 per cent has been challenging for him a little bit. There have been some strides made and he is feeling better. It’s a difficult injury to diagnose and handle and we’ll see how he does over the next week or so and then make some decisions.”