General manager Patrik Allvin of the Vancouver Canucks made the somewhat unexpected announcement Thursday afternoon that winger Arshdeep Bains and defenseman Erik Brannstrom had been demoted to the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. The Canucks have increased their cap space from $385,000 to over $2.1 million since Brannstrom and Bains both left for the AHL.
The Canucks now have exactly 12 forwards after the two moves, which is important to note because they need to ice the typical 12 forwards and six defensemen and seven defensemen. It is currently unknown whether or not Brannstrom’s re-assignment is connected to Derek Forbort’s possible comeback. As you may remember, precisely one week ago today, Forbort, 32, left the Canucks for personal reasons. At the time, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal stated that Forbort’s departure was not anticipated to be permanent. The veteran defenseman’s impending return to the starting lineup would not come as a surprise, but there is presently no indication one way or the other.
The 23-year-old undrafted winger Bains has made three appearances for the Canucks in the NHL this season, although he has only taken 20 shifts in a single game and tallied one shot on goal. With outstanding bottom-six forward Dakota Joshua revving up and getting ready to return from his winter battle with testicular cancer, the Canucks probably believe it is best for Bains to continue playing regular minutes in Abbotsford.
The Canucks do not play again until Saturday night, so it could be some time before we get some definitive answers on the injury front one way or the other.
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