The Canucks are getting some scoring help from the minor leagues. The team announced today that they’ve recalled Alexandre Grenier from the Utica Comets. The team missed Nikolay Goldobin last night with the flu and had to dress seven defensemen. The call-up is likely insurance against having to do that again in case Goldobin can’t go tomorrow night against Pittsburgh.
Grenier is 25 now, but has still not received a decent shot at an NHL job despite his size and proven scoring ability in the minor leagues. The 6’5″ forward has four straight AHL seasons of at least 16 goals and 39 points, yet has played just eight contests in with the Canucks. He was selected in the third round of the 2011 draft, and is perhaps now ready to take the next step in his professional career.
For the Canucks, giving Grenier an extended look as they continue to fight for the playoffs doesn’t seem like a bad idea. After the team sold assets at the deadline, and resigned themselves to a short rebuild, they’ve gone 2-1-2 and acquired six of a possible ten points. Just six points out of a playoff spot, the Canucks still at least have a reason to sell tickets down the stretch and giving players this time to see what they can bring to the table is expected. We’ll see if Grenier gets a chance in the lineup, or if he’s just up for insurance reasons.