Some news from Canucks practice in Dallas this morning, as Sven Baertschi left early with an apparent foot injury. Vancouver has called up Alex Grenier from the Utica Comets as a result.
#Canucks may have lineup change. Baertschi left the skate a little early (didn't seem concerning)
Grenier recalled
Labate still here— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) November 25, 2016
Grenier, a 6-foot-5, 213-pound winger, has 14 points (6-8-14) in 16 games with the Comets this season. The 25-year-old appeared in six games for the Canucks last season, registering zero points.
This could be Grenier’s last chance to prove he belongs at the NHL level with the Canucks’ organization, as the third round pick in the 2011 Draft is set to become a restricted free agent in the summer.
For Baertschi, the timing of his injury could not have been worse. The Swiss skilled winger was finally finding his groove, playing on a line with Bo Horvat and Alex Burrows. He had his first three-point game of his career against Arizona on Wednesday, and has seven points in his last seven games.
The Canucks are now well stocked with Utica farmhands, as Grenier joins Michael Chaput, Jayson Megna, and Joe LaBate in Vancouver. It’s a bit ironic that a number of opportunities have opened up for Comets players in Vancouver – Chaput and Megna will play in the top-nine on Friday – while Jake Virtanen is in Utica in search of playing time.
If injuries keep AHL calibre players in prime positions for a predicted length of time, it may make sense to give Virtanen a recall.
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