Canucks Reassign Tolopilo to Abbotsford; Roster Cuts Loom

UPDATE: The Vancouver Canucks have just reassigned goaltending prospect Nikita Tolopilo to the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, confirming that both Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen are healthy ahead of the NHL season. This decision comes as the Canucks finalize their opening-night roster with only three cuts remaining.

Tolopilo’s training camp performance was impressive, solidifying his status as the Canucks’ third-string goaltender. He showcased exceptional skills during the preseason, including a remarkable game against the Seattle Kraken, where he recorded 13 saves on 14 shots, highlighted by a stunning toe save on a breakaway by Shane Wright. He finished the preseason boasting a .952 save percentage with 20 saves on 21 shots in under 50 minutes of play.

With just two days until the Canucks must submit their final roster by October 6, 2023, the team faces critical decisions. Currently, they have 26 players on the roster, needing to trim down to 23. The injury to Nils Höglander, who has been placed on Injured Reserve, adds urgency to the situation.

The Canucks must decide between carrying 13 forwards and 8 defensemen or 14 forwards and 7 defensemen. Opting for eight defensemen may provide necessary depth for their upcoming road trip, but this could complicate forward placements.

As the Canucks weigh their options, the implications of waivers play a critical role. Among the defensemen vying for a spot, Elias Pettersson, Victor Mancini, and Tom Willander are exempt from waivers, allowing them to be sent down without risk. However, forwards like Arshdeep Bains, Aatu Räty, and Linus Karlsson would require waivers to be assigned to the AHL, complicating roster decisions.

Currently, it seems that both Braeden Cootes and Jonathan Lekkerimäki have earned their spots on the roster, leaving the question of who else will remain. The Canucks must weigh potential asset management against immediate performance needs—analyzing whether to send down Max Sasson and two defense prospects who pose no waiver risk.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on the Canucks’ final roster decisions. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating how these choices will shape the team’s season. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.