The Vancouver Canucks have reassigned Braeden Cootes and Matthew Stienburg to the Abbotsford Canucks as they work toward the NHL’s 23-player roster limit by Monday.
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The Vancouver Canucks have sent forward Braeden Cootes and centre Matthew Stienburg to the Abbotsford Canucks as they continue trimming their roster ahead of Monday’s NHL deadline.
Cootes, 19, is expected to begin the season in Abbotsford. He stayed in Vancouver’s opening-night picture last year and played three NHL games before being returned to junior.
In three preseason games, Cootes had a goal and two assists. His reassignment comes as the Canucks work down to the league’s 23-player limit.
Stienburg, 25, is also headed to Abbotsford after clearing waivers.
The move fits with comments attributed to general manager Ryan Johnson about avoiding frequent “yo-yoing” of younger players between the NHL and AHL. That is especially relevant under new league rules that allow 19-year-olds to play in the AHL instead of staying in the NHL or returning to junior.
The Canucks are also sorting out their goaltending picture after claiming Leevi Meriläinen off waivers from the Ottawa Senators. At the time of the move, Vancouver’s roster was reported as 14 forwards, eight defencemen and four goaltenders.
The Canucks must reduce the roster to a maximum of 23 players by Monday. More moves are expected before the regular season opens.
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