Aaron Volpatti tore his labrum (shoulder) last game against the Predators and requires surgery. The Canucks page on Twitter is saying he is done for the year. On a related 4th line note: Byron Bitz (hip surgery) skated for the first time today. Mason Raymond was going to bounce Volpatti from the line up anyway I'm sure, even though Voltron scored a his first goal of the season last game. So who's the new 13th forward? Victor Oreskovich? Mike Duco? Obviously The Stanchion would love to see Mark Mancari called up. Lots of options there.

The Canucks' Twitter page also reports that Roberto Luongo and Sami Salo (phew) will play against the Flames on Sunday.

Harrison Mooney at Pass It To Bulis theorizes that Cory Schneider is getting so many starts because the Canucks are showcasing him, and that he gets moved by the trade deadline for a top 4 defenceman. I say this is quite likely, even though Mike Gillis says otherwise. Mooney also thinks it is quite possible that Keith Ballard will not be wearing a Canucks uni by season's end.