Vancouver Canucks Finalize Roster

The Vancouver Canucks etched their opening-day roster into the NHL books on Monday, finalizing a 23-man lineup while also placing a couple of players on Injured Reserve (IR). A surprising trade involving Tucker Poolman to the Colorado Avalanche equipped the Canucks with additional cap space, allowing them to sidestep long-term injured reserve (LTIR) provisions and limit their final roster cuts to just one player.

That unfortunate cut, however, came with a heavy heart for both the team and fans alike, as the emerging star, Arshdeep Bains, was sent down to the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL after a standout preseason performance.

Why Did Bains Get Cut? Let's Break It Down

Bains truly showcased his talent during the preseason, culminating in an impressive final game against the Edmonton Oilers, where he registered a goal and an assist. Unfortunately, the brutal realities of roster decisions reared their head, and Bains, despite his efforts, found himself on the outside looking in—largely due to waiver eligibility and positional depth.

Of the players considered, only three were exempt from waivers: Bains, Aatu Räty, and Arturs Silovs. While Silovs will remain as a key goaltender, the Canucks had quite the dilemma with Bains and Räty. Bains primarily plays the left wing, a position in which the Canucks have significant depth. In contrast, Räty, who can skate as a center or a winger, demonstrated versatility that ultimately gave him the edge.

Adding to this, Räty exhibited impressive skills in the faceoff circle, winning 53.9% during preseason play, a string that Coach Rick Tocchet valued highly. 'I think Räty is a guy that we're looking for: that centre that's got a stiffness to him and can win draws,' remarked Tocchet, praising the young center’s performance.

The Future Looks Bright for Bains

Despite the disappointment, this isn’t the end for Bains. He has the chance to prove himself once again in the AHL and could find his way back to the NHL lineup, especially if the Canucks experience any injuries in their forward group. Coach Tocchet has openly acknowledged that Bains is on their radar, though he emphasized the need for Bains to work on his game management skills moving forward.

Moreover, with the season set to kick off on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames, surprises could still be around the corner. The Canucks have the flexibility to make last-minute roster adjustments, meaning an early return for Bains is still a possibility.

Canucks' Final Roster Details

With the final decision made regarding Bains, alongside the IR placements for Dakota Joshua and Thatcher Demko and the demotions of Jiri Patera and Erik Brännström after clearing waivers, the Canucks have outlined their roster. This includes a solid lineup of 13 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders, with a total cap space of $479,166.

Canucks' Opening-Day Roster

FORWARDS - Danton Heinen - J.T. Miller - Brock Boeser - Jake DeBrusk - Elias Pettersson - Daniel Sprong - Nils Högländer - Aatu Räty - Conor Garland - Pius Suter - Teddy Blueger - Kiefer Sherwood - Nils Åman (IR: Dakota Joshua) DEFENCEMEN - Quinn Hughes - Filip Hronek - Carson Soucy - Vincent Desharnais - Derek Forbort - Tyler Myers - Mark Friedman - Noah Juulsen GOALTENDERS - Arturs Silovs - Kevin Lankinen Bains may have faced an unfortunate cut, but his journey is just beginning. Could an injury crisis lead to an immediate opportunity? Stay tuned, because in the world of the NHL, anything can happen!