Canucks’ Phil Di Giuseppe ‘getting close’ to a return

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When the Vancouver Canucks return from the All-Star break, they may see a familiar face back in the ranks.

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Hustling forward Phil Di Giuseppe has been out of action since suffering an injury Jan. 2 against the Ottawa Senators.

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He’s been on the injured reserve list ever since and hasn’t been spotted at Rogers Arena.

But, from the sounds of how Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet replied Tuesday when asked about Di Giuseppe’s status, it seems the 30-year-old is steadily working his way back.

Tocchet confirmed Tuesday that Di Giuseppe is dealing with a lower-body injury, which makes sense given that it looked like he hurt his knee or ankle in a hit by Ottawa’s Travis Hamonic.

Though Di Giuseppe hasn’t been spotted working on the ice on his own, Tocchet implied that the winger has been skating of late.

“He’s getting better. I think he’s gonna skate even harder over the break. So getting close,” Tocchet said.

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No timeline for Brisebois

Meanwhile, there is no news on Guillaume Brisebois, who is believed to have suffered a concussion in the Canucks’ final pre-season game and hasn’t been on the ice since.

Brisebois took a high hit from the Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tanev late in the Oct. 4 game. Tocchet was irate at the end of the game — a reckless hit in a meaningless contest.

Brisebois was spotted around the rink at times in the following month or so, but has been notably absent of late.

Tocchet has never described Brisebois’ injury as more than an upper-body issue, but the language he’s used when asked about the depth defenceman’s health has led everyone to think he’s dealing with a concussion.

Brisebois has struggled to advance up “protocol levels,” Tocchet has said at various points. In December, he said Brisebois has had good days and bad days, that he’s skated periodically, and that it was difficult to see the defenceman struggle.

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The Brisebois’s gear has remained in his stall in the Canucks’ dressing room, an ever-present sign of hope.

Asked Tuesday if Brisebois’ season was over, the coach answered cautiously.

“I can’t answer that question. I know he’s taken some medication. I think it’s one of those things where you got to see if it works. I think it’s working. But until it works and now you get to the next level; it’s not that next level yet. But I hear he’s getting better. That’s what I got,” Tocchet said.

Brisebois, a 2015 third-round pick by the Canucks, has appeared in 27 NHL games for the Canucks, including 17 last year (he scored his first NHL goal last season).

The Canucks signed him to a two-year contract extension last summer and appeared ready to commit to him as a seventh or eighth defenceman.

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pjohnston@postmedia.com

@risingaction.bsky.social

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