Vancouver Giants star reportedly will miss the next six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury

The Vancouver Giants will have to wait a little longer before Samuel Honzek returns to the lineup. As Steve Ewen of The Province reported on Wednesday, the Calgary Flames prospect and 2023 first-rounder will miss the next six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury. The Giants' star forward was injured during a game against the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 4. While he was reassigned to the Giants before the start of the NHL season, he remains in Calgary, where he continues to rehab his injury. 

Based on the timeline, it is possible that Honzek could miss the upcoming World Juniors set to take place in Sweden. This would be a massive loss for Slovakia, as he was projected to play a significant role on this year's team. At the 2023 tournament, he played two games for Slovakia before having his left calf cut by a skate, which kept him out of the lineup until mid-February. 

As for his place in the Giants lineup, Vancouver did pick up Czechian forward and 2024 NHL Draft prospect Patrik Král off waivers from the Moose Jaw Warriors. He was drafted 108th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft and played three games with the Warriors before being placed on waivers. Once Honzek is ready to return, the Giants will need to make a roster move, as they currently have three imports on their roster.