Vancouver Canucks: Is Ryan Kesler's Injury Cody Hodgson's Gain?

News came out today that Selke winner Ryan Kesler underwent successful hip surgery repairing a torn labrum that will have him out until November. This is the earliest people close to the situation are saying, however he only missed 72 days in 2007 after having similar surgery as Canucks beat writer Jason Botchford tweeted

Botchford also confirmed it was not the same hip Kesler had surgery on in 2007 which allows Canucks fans to let out a huge sigh of relief.

This injury was the reason for Kesler regressing in the San Jose and Boston series after having such a strong second round against Nashville.

Both sides had hoped surgery would not have been needed which is why it was done so late into the offseason.

With Kesler out for at least the first month of the season this now opens the door for former first round pick Cody Hodgson to finally play top-six minutes.

In eight games with the Canucks—all last season, he has one goal and two points to his name.

He did, however, play in 12 playoff games this past year as the fourth-line centre.

Hodgson has had the injury bug follow him since being drafted by the Canucks limiting his chances in making the team, mainly in his lower back.

Add to that, both Henrik Sedin and Kesler block him from playing on the top two lines at centre for the Canucks.

Hodgson has been tried on the wing but his speed is not up to par and is a natural fit at centre.

In 197 games in the OHL with Brampton, Hodgson scored 114 goals, tallied 129 assists and recorded 243 points over the course of four seasons.

Hodgson was named OHL and CHL player of the year in 2008-2009 beating out New York Islanders first round pick John Tavaras.

At the World U-18 Championships in 2008 he captained Canada to a Gold Medal while being named tournament MVP and scoring leader.

A year later he also captained Canada to Gold at the World Juniors in 2009 picking up tournament MVP honours and leading the tournament in scoring (5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points) again.

With the emergence of Kesler as being the Canucks second-line centre and Hart Trophy and Art Ross winner Henrik as the number one centre Hodgson could not play a role that was most comfortable for him.

Even on the third line Manny Malhotra blocks him as does Maxim Lapierre, who is better suited on the fourth line than Hodgson.

Now with Kesler out for at least the first month of the season Hodgson can finally play in the top six on the second line, showing his natural playmaking abilities.

This not only will help the Canucks, as they fill a position while one of their best players is out—it also showcases Hodgson to the rest of the league as a trade possibility.

A playmaking top-two centre is hard to come by and Hodgson has the talent to be one.

The Canucks could potentially gain even more as well later on in the season by trading Hodgson for a top-six winger to play alongside Kesler at the deadline which is what the Canucks are sorely lacking—aside from an enforcer.

Kesler’s injury allows Hodgson to show off his talents—not only to the team that selected him 10th overall in 2008, but the league.