Jason Garrison (groin) is confident that he'll be able to play in the Vancouver Canucks' season opener - whenever that might be. Garrison's groin issue has been chronic, but he thinks his current treatments, which involves strengthening his core muscles, should solve the problem. "I'm progressing and coming along real well because I'm putting the work in, and it's showing," said Garrison. "Each and every day it feels better, and there's no doubt in my mind I'll be ready to go." Garrison signed a six-year/$27.6 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks over the summer.

Jason Garrison (groin) thinks he'll be healthy enough to play on Nov. 2 if that's when the season starts. Nov. 2 has been brought up as the latest possible date that the season could start if we are to have a full 82-game season. Right now the odds of us getting a CBA finalized in time for a Nov. 2 start date are discouraging. Still, what this basically means is that Garrison should be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season...whenever that is.

Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis told radio station TEAM 1040 that Jason Garrison's groin injury is not a sports hernia. "With Jason, we've ruled out the possibility he has a sports hernia," said Gillis. "But it's kind of like he feels like he's at 80 or 85 percent all the time and getting that extra 10-15 percent has been challenging for him a little bit. There have been some strides made and he is feeling better. It's a difficult injury to diagnose and handle and we'll see how he does over the next week or so and then make some decisions." Garrison will continue to be treated and paid by the team until he is deemed fit to play.

Jason Garrison indicated that he hasn't yet considered any options to play in Europe in the event of a lockout. Garrison's agent, Matt Oates, has other North-American based players he is currently working with and the new Canuck hasn't inquired about opportunities across the pond yet this summer. "When a decision is made about the CBA, I'll talk to him and see what my options are," said Garrison. If and when NHL Play actually resumes, look for Garrison to pick up where he left off last year in an expanded role with Vancouver.

The Canucks were forced to make a strong pitch for Jason Garrison after a few of their defense options signed elsewhere. After prospect Justin Schultz decided to sign in Edmonton and veteran Sami Salo left for Tampa Bay, Vancouver immediately shifted its focus to bringing in Garrison, ultimately on a six-year deal for $4.6 million a year. At 27, the new blueliner who had 16 goals and 17 assists this past season, also allows the Canucks to continue to get younger, as Salo is 37. "I definitely kind of developed my game later than most guys," Garrison said. I think hard work is a big part of that. That is kind of how I was raised and the mentality that I have. I think that will help coming into a situation like this. I have to work even harder than before."

The Canucks came to terms with Jason Garrison on a six-year, $27.6 million deal. Talk about parlaying a career year into a substantial contract. In reality, the undrafted 27-year-old just finished up his second full season in the NHL, exploding for career-highs across the board -- 16 goals and 17 assists. Garrison has a booming shot from the blue line, as evidenced by his nine markers there last season. There is innate risk in handing out a deal like this, one that comes with a $4.6 million cap hit to someone without a long track record, but there's also the possibility that the rearguard is just tapping into his potential. With the kind of money handed out to defenseman (in a very thin market for "upside" blueliners") this offseason, though, this seams like a pretty fair deal.

Jason Garrison will seriously look at signing with his hometown Vancouver Canucks when free agency begins on Sunday. Garrison came into his own last season with 16 goals but the Justin Schultz sweepstakes could come into play as Schultz is also a native of the Vancouver and his parents are Canuck season ticket holders. Schultz will be a lot cheaper to sign than Garrison who will look to better the five-year, $26.25-million deal that Dennis Wideman signed with the Flames earlier this week. Lots of teams will be looking for the offensive side of the game that Garrison brings so expect a lot of suitors for the 27-year-old rearguard.

If the Wild don't ink Ryan Suter once free agency opens, expect them to go after Jason Garrison. Florida still wants to retain the 27-year-old blueliner, but he figures to command a good amount of interest on the open market. Garrison had 16 goals and 33 points this past season. Plan B for Minnesota could be making a run at Matt Carle, Dennis Wideman or trading for Pittsburgh's Paul Martin or Phoenix's Keith Yandle.

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said he's "optimistic" about getting a deal done with Jason Garrison. The GM said a contract offer is on the table for the 27-year-old who is set to be an unrestricted free agent July 1. He tallied a career-high 16 goals (nine on the power play) and 33 points this past season, but may still ultimately want to test the market. Garrison made $700,000 in 2011-12.

No team has contacted the Florida Panthers about the possibility of acquiring Jason Garrison's negotiating rights. Garrison is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Panthers are still hoping to re-sign Garrison, but Panthers GM Dale Tallon wasn't able to provide on update on Garrison's status on Thursday.