Canucks' Kesler to meet with doctors

VANCOUVER -- Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Kesler is undergoing medical tests after blocking a shot while playing for the United States at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, according to coach John Tortorella.

Kesler, who leads the Canucks with 20 goals, was at Rogers Arena late Monday morning but did not speak with reporters.

Asked if Kesler needed an MRI, Tortorella said head athletic trainer Mike Burnstein "is going to put him through the whole nine yards. He's getting everything checked and we'll see what it looks like."

Tortorella said he hadn't talked to Kesler yet.

"See how he is [Tuesday]," Tortorella said. "I am not overly worried about him missing a couple days of practice.

"I have no idea what the injury is. I know that he's day-to-day."

Canucks captain Henrik Sedin, who missed six of the final eight games before the break with a rib injury, also was absent from practice Monday after skating Saturday. Tortorella said it was for personal reasons, and while he didn't expect Sedin back Tuesday, he said he was optimistic he would play against the Blues.

"I hope so, yeah," Tortorella said.

Forward Alexandre Burrows, who injured his hand in a fight with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel in the final game before the Olympic break, might rejoin the team for practice Tuesday.

Tortorella indicated Christopher Tanev will miss more than that, saying the defenseman is "doubtful" to return from a thumb injury in time for the team's first game back from the Olympic break, Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues.

Tanev missed the six games before the break and hasn't rejoined the team on the ice since they ended. He was working out off the ice Monday but still is wearing a small brace on his right hand.

Fellow defenseman Kevin Bieksa, who missed five games with a lower-body injury, was not at practice Monday after leaving the team's skate early Saturday, but Tortorella said he expected him back Tuesday,

"After the skate [Saturday] he was sore and our whole mindset is trying to get him ready to play that game, to start with us Wednesday," he said.

The Canucks also called up center Kellan Lain from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League on Monday. Lain was with the Canucks until the Olympic break, scoring his first NHL goal during his eight-game stint.