Bieksa’s calf muscle was lacerated Thursday when he was stepped on by Vern Fiddler. A report Sunday suggested the 36-year-old’s Achilles tendon was also cut, which could be a season-ending injury and permanently impair, at least slightly, the range of motion in Bieksa’s foot. But Nonis said the additional damage was to a smaller muscle, below the calf, which is attached to the Achilles, and that the tendon itself was intact.

Well, Beesak (Beeksa? Beieska…? Whatever CBC commentators are calling him these days…) probably did dodge the worst bullet fired—the potential damage to that tendon must have been frightening.

On the other hand, since when do we put the words “calf muscle” and “lacerated” in the same sentence and call that a good day? It ain’t; it’s horrific.

But yes, it could be worse. For instance, Bieksa is probably relieved to know that he’s not, in fact, 36 years old: he’s still 26.*

And then there’s Frankenstein’s monster, Sami Salo, this year taking steps to ensure that all of his annual allotted infirmary time is jammed early into the season:

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Saturday that defenceman Sami Salo, whose nose was severely broken in the same game, should be able to play again in 4-6 weeks. Salo’s surgery Friday included a metal plate being inserted into the player’s face.

On the bright side, for every upcoming year of Salo’s contract, Canucks fans will forever be able to breathe easier knowing Salo has that plate in his head. It may well reduce his annual injury time significantly.

In fact, one day I fully expect Salo to be made entirely out of sheet metal.
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In all seriousness, those injuries were awful, to witness much less experience. I’m sure all Canucks’ fans are relieved at a reasonably positive prognosis.

*Update 9:15pm PT: The original Vancouver Sun story quoted above has been changed since I published quotes from it. It now has a new headline, plus Bieksa’s age was corrected.