Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond will not return for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final and will need three-to-four months of recovery after sustaining a vertebrae compression fracture in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.
On the first shift of the game, Raymond got mixed up with Bruins defenceman Johnny Boychuk. Raymond was bent down with Boychuk's stick between his legs when the blue-liner took him awkwardly into the boards.
Raymond lay on the ice for several minutes before being helped off by teammates. He was taken to hospital for further evaluation and remains in Boston.
Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said there was a great deal of concern when the injury first occurred.
"Initially, there was some very serious concern about (not being able to walk)," said Gillis. "He did move after he had been on the ice for a period of time. He began to move his legs and I know when he got to the hospital they were very concerned. If we get Mason Raymond back by November of next year, we will be very happy."
Gillis, who was incensed there was no interference penalty on the play, has yet to hear from the league regarding any supplementary discipline for Boychuk.
"I haven't had any discussion with them after last night," said Gillis. "All I can tell you is my observations of the hit. I didn't see the puck around him. I thought the Boston player used a can opener and drove him into the boards with enough force to break his back. That's what I saw."
Raymond, who played alongside Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins on the Canucks' second line, was replaced by Jannik Hansen in Monday's contest.
Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault remains confident that his team can overcome this setback and capture the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history on Wednesday.
"For us, injuries and adversity have been part of our daily routine throughout this season and we faced every one of them head on," said Vigneault. "It's very unfortunate for Mason not to be able to play in the seventh game, but the guys that we have available are going to jump on the opportunity."
