"You know Ryan Kesler loves playing at Joe Louis Arena, but don't expect him back in the Canucks' lineup for that game on Thursday when the Canucks take play their third game of their impending four-game road trip in Detroit.

The Canucks play in Detroit one other time this regular season – on Feb. 23 – and that's when Kesler's family and friends can take the short drive in from his Livonia, Mich., hometown to see him play.

Kesler confirmed on Saturday that, although he'll be going on the road trip to practice and take game day skates with the team, playing in a game was out of the question.

"I'm not going to play," said Kesler, following the Canucks' annual open practice at Rogers Arena. "It's never been in the plan to play on this road trip. It's just to go on the trip and skate."