The depth of the Vancouver Canucks is being tested early and things are becoming desperate for a team that was already searching for centre help before injuries started piling up.

Forwards Filip Chytil, Johnathan Lekkerimaki, Teddy Blueger and Nils Hoglander are all currently out of the lineup in Vancouver. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports the Canucks are willing to get creative in order to try to fill in their forward lines.

“You can dive in Abbotsford in the American Hockey League and see key injuries there up the middle as well,” Dreger explained Tuesday on Early Trading. “This makes it very difficult on an organizational level for general manager Patrik Allvin and the Canucks.

“I’ll also remind everybody that Allvin has been searching for a centre, preferably a No. 2 or a two-way centre, for several months now. It’s not like this need has just recently surfaced.

“They were hoping that Chytil would stay healthy long enough to buy them some time. He’s certainly more than capable and has proven in the NHL that he can be a proven No. 2 centre. But this young guy, who is 26 years old, has been through some dark and difficult times, specific to concussion protocols. So, he’s in there one more time and they don’t know how long he’s going to be away.

“That’s why you see Allvin talking publicly about the need to do something at centre ice. The problem is that there are so many other NHL clubs also looking for a No. 2 or No. 3 centre. So, the market is incredibly thin in that area and Allvin knows that.

“So, some are wondering around the league if Allvin is just going to simply add a depth piece. Maybe there’s a centre on another club that seems to be a misfit or a third or fourth-line centre in that organization but has the capability to elevate and be a No. 2 or 3 centre.

“The Canucks, at this stage, are looking at every possibility, and that includes engaging with another club with for a No. 3 or 4 centre on their roster.”

Vancouver lost Chytil and Lekkerimaki in Sunday’s win over the Washington Capitals, with both being placed on injured reserve Monday.

Elias Pettersson remains the team’s top-line centre, ahead of Aatu Raty, Max Sasson and Nils Aman on the depth chart of healthy players.

The Canucks are 4-2-0 entering Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have an identical record.