Dakota Joshua could be making his return to game action as soon as this week.
Speaking with reporters in Anaheim ahead of Tuesday’s game, head coach Rick Tocchet said that, while not guaranteed, there’s a possibility that Joshua could make his season debut on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Joshua, 28, had been sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from testicular cancer, but has been skating with the team for the past two weeks.
The Dearborn, Michigan native went public with his diagnosis on Sept. 17 in an effort to raise awareness about men’s health and to encourage men to get themselves checked.
“You know, kind of something that you can’t really be prepared for. But the support from my family, friends, the fans, the organization as a whole, everybody’s been so nice and, you know, very caring, which I love to see,” Joshua told reporters last week, per Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre. “It made the tough time a lot easier.”
Joshua re-signed with the Canucks to a four-year, $13 million contract after cementing himself as an NHL regular in Vancouver. He particularly thrived under head coach Rick Tocchet, notching career-highs in goals (18) and assists (14) in 2023-24 and finished the season plus-19.
Alongside Teddy Blueger and Conor Garland, the trio made up one of the best third lines in hockey, providing consistent secondary scoring for the Canucks.
Joshua also played a key role in the post-season, suiting up for all 13 of the Canucks’ playoff games, scoring four goals and notching four assists in 15:19 of ice time.