Canucks' Bieksa out indefinitely; Sedin return closer

VANCOUVER -- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa is out indefinitely and won't join the team on a five-game road trip that takes the Canucks into the NHL break for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Bieksa played into the final minute of a 5-2 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday but wasn't at practice Thursday.

"It's more than [a maintenance day]," interim coach Mike Sullivan said. "He is not going to join us on the trip. We don't know the details of it yet. When we get more information we'll update you."

Bieksa is seventh in scoring for the struggling Canucks with 19 points despite only having one on the power play, and averages 22:40 of ice time per game. His loss comes one day after Vancouver learned fellow right-shot defenseman Christopher Tanev is out indefinitely with a fractured hand.

The Canucks called up rookie defenseman Frank Corrado from the American Hockey League on Thursday. Corrado, who played all four Canucks games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs right after his junior career ended last season, is scoreless in six games with Vancouver this season.

There was some good news Thursday as Sullivan said captain Henrik Sedin could return soon.

Sedin, who is tied with brother Daniel for the team lead with 40 points, has missed five games with a rib injury that ended his nearly 10-year ironman streak at 679 games. With two wins in his absence and four in 14 games in 2014, the Canucks could use him.

"He's still day-to-day, but I believe he will join us on this trip and we are hopeful that we'll get him at some point here," Sullivan said.

Definitely returning on the trip will be coach John Tortorella. The Canucks' game Friday against the Winnipeg Jets is the final one in his six-game, 15-day suspension.

The Canucks had other positive injury news as the team announced center Mike Santorelli had shoulder surgery Thursday. Santorelli had been out since Jan. 16 when he was hit by the Phoenix Coyotes' Martin Hanzal.

"After consultation with our team physicians we determined that Mike would require a procedure on his shoulder," Canucks general manager said in a statement issued by the team. "The surgery was successful and we expect a full recovery." No timetable was announced for Santorelli's return.