Sports injury expert speculates Brock Boeser's season is over after reported blood clot issue

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified May 20, 2024 06:00 GMT

Sports injury expert Dr. Harjas Grewal has speculated that Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser's playoffs are over due to a reported blood clot. Earlier, Elliotte Friedman reported in his Sportsnet column that Boeser is likely to miss Game 7 against the Oilers because of the condition.

Friedman also noted that multiple sources have emphasized that Brock Boeser's blood clot issue is not considered life-threatening at this time.

Reacting to the reports, Dr. Grewal reckoned that if the blood clot is in Boeser's arm or leg, there's a concern that it could travel to his lungs and cause a life-threatening condition called a pulmonary embolism.

Dr. Grewal also noted that a possible cause of the blood clot could be some sort of trauma to the area followed by clot formation. In terms of treatment, it is likely Boeser will be prescribed blood thinners, which carry a risk of bleeding.

This makes playing hockey high-risk, especially if there's a chance of head trauma causing a brain bleed while on blood thinners. Dr. Grewal added that individuals are prescribed blood thinners for around three months.

Considering this, Brock Boser's season may possibly be over:

"Treatment will likely be with blood thinners which carry a bleed risk and thus making playing hockey high risk (ex. Head trauma causing a brain bleed because on a blood thinner) Generally people are on blood thinners for at least 3 months so I think Boeser’s season is over," - Dr. Grewal wrote on X.

However, it is worth noting that the Vancouver Canucks have yet to make an official comment regarding Brock Boeser's status.

Canucks will be without Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko in Game 7

Brock Boeser has been a standout player for the Canucks in the playoffs. He co-leads the team in scoring with 12 points, including seven goals, which also includes a hat-trick against the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round series.

Thatcher Demko is another crucial player who has been missed by the Canucks throughout the series. Demko sustained a knee injury during Game 1 of the first round and has been out since then. Rick Tocchert has confirmed that he will not play in Game 7.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers beat the Canucks 5-1 on Saturday to force Game 7. The Canucks will have to find a way to win the decisive game without both Boeser and Demko when the teams meet at Rogers Arena on Monday.