With training camps set to start on July 10th, teams are in the process of determining what recalls they will be making to get their expanded rosters intact. As things stand, 30 skaters can attend training camp with 28 being allowed to be on the postseason roster while teams can carry an unlimited number of goaltenders. Postmedia’s Ben Kuzma reports that the Canucks have figured out their recall list which is as follows:
F Sven Baertschi
F Justin Bailey
D Guillaume Brisebois
D Jalen Chatfield
F Tyler Graovac
D Olli Juolevi
G Michael DiPietro
D Brogan Rafferty
D Ashton Sautner
Up front, Baertschi is the most notable among the group. He has plenty of NHL experience under his belt (and another year on his contract with an AAV of $3.36MM) but spent most of the year with AHL Utica where he averaged over a point per game. With his prior NHL action though, he’s someone that they could comfortably put in the lineup if injuries arise.
Defensively, Juolevi stands out and not because he’s the only one who hasn’t been recalled to the NHL in the past. The fifth-overall pick in 2016 battled some injury trouble again this season but is still viewed as one of their better prospects. The odds of him getting into a game are unlikely but this will at least be an opportunity to practice in an NHL environment which should help his development.
Vancouver is also likely to welcome back winger Micheal Ferland to the fold. While he has battled concussion troubles all season long, he has resumed skating and it appears that he should be in the mix for a spot in the lineup where he’d likely slot in on the fourth line after being off for so long.
The Canucks will take on Minnesota in the best-of-five play-in round which is tentatively slated to begin sometime in late July or early August assuming an agreement can be reached between the NHL and NHLPA on Return to Play protocols.