The Vancouver Canucks made a quick roster adjustment on Tuesday, bringing up forward Jacob Quillan from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks and sending Filip Chytil to injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
Quillan is a recent addition for Vancouver, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs a few weeks ago along with Brandon Buhr in the deal that sent Aatu Räty the other way. The 24-year-old came out of Quinnipiac University with a National Championship on his résumé and signed with Toronto as an undrafted free agent.
Since then, Quillan has carved out a solid track record as a secondary scorer. In his first two pro seasons with the Toronto Marlies, the Dartmouth, NS, native put up 32 goals and 73 points in 107 games while finishing at plus-19. He also delivered in the Calder Cup playoffs last year, posting three goals and nine points in 19 games as the Marlies won the championship.
Quillan even got a look with the Maple Leafs during that span, though his NHL production never really matched his AHL work. In 24 games, he recorded one goal and three points, finished minus-5, and averaged 10:04 of ice time per game. Since landing in Abbotsford, he’s come out flying: five goals and seven points in five games, plus an impressive plus-8.
For Chytil, the move puts him back on the shelf after a stop-and-start beginning to the season. The former 21st overall pick opened the year on injured reserve because of a shoulder issue, then took a hard hit along the boards from Sharks defenseman Darnell Nurse in Vancouver’s recent game against San Jose. He is eligible to return next Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets after collecting two assists in seven games between injuries.
In Other News...
Canucks Let A Winnable Game Slip Away In One Brutal Period
For two periods, the Canucks looked in control against the Sharks, riding a tidy defensive effort and a couple of timely finishes into a 2-0 lead. Elias Pettersson opened the scoring after Jamie Oleksiak made a strong play in the defensive end, and Liam hgren added another in the second period while Leevi Merilinen kept things quiet with several important saves.
Merilinens best work came while Vancouver was killing penalties, where he turned aside multiple looks that could have shifted the game earlier. The night still carried a jolt, though, when Brock Boeser left after taking a shot off his foot, forcing Arshdeep Bains onto the first line and adding another layer of uncertainty to a game the Canucks already let get away in a rough third period. [Read more 🡒]
Canucks May Like This Young Winger More Than His Trade Cost
Ivan Miroshnichenko is the kind of young winger who can intrigue a team looking for upside, and the Canucks have reportedly been among the clubs with interest. The 20-year-old has not yet carved out a full-time NHL role with Washington, but his blend of youth and pedigree makes him a player worth tracking for a Vancouver team always weighing present need against future value.
The challenge, of course, is the price tag. Washington is believed to be asking for at least a first-round pick, which turns a potential buy-low swing into a much bigger decision for Vancouvers front office. If the Canucks are serious, they will have to decide whether Miroshnichenkos long-term promise is worth paying for before he has fully established himself at the NHL level. [Read more 🡒]
Canucks Suddenly Have Another Filip Chytil Injury Scare
Filip Chytils night took an unwelcome turn after a hit from San Jose Sharks defenseman Darnell Nurse left the Canucks forward missing practice while he was being evaluated. For a player already trying to settle in after a preseason upper-body injury, the latest scare is an uneasy reminder of how quickly his health can become a storyline again in Vancouver.
Manny Malhotra said Chytil will be given the day off for Saturdays game against Toronto, leaving the Canucks to wait and see how the recovery unfolds. Chytil has dealt with a long injury history, and part of his focus this season has been improving his on-ice awareness to help avoid dangerous situations, making any setback feel especially significant for a team that wants him available and building momentum. [Read more 🡒]