Canucks cut Bains and their opening-day roster is set

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Aatu Räty has made the team, as the Vancouver Canucks announced final cuts to their roster today.

He has made it ahead of Arshdeep Bains, who has been sent to Abbotsford.

Erik Brännström and Jiri Patera will be joining Bains in Abbotsford, the team announced. Brännström, who was acquired from Colorado yesterday, cleared waivers this morning. Patera was picked off waivers by the Boston Bruins last week but was reclaimed by the Canucks today.

Thatcher Demko and Dakota Joshua have been placed on “season opening injured non-roster,” which differs from the much-talked-about long-term injured reserve (LTIR). It appears the Canucks will be able to operate outside of LTIR for the first time in years following Sunday’s Tucker Poolman trade.

The Canucks have 23 players on their roster, including 13 forwards, eight defencemen, and two goaltenders. Among the bubble players still with the club are Noah Juulsen, Mark Friedman, Nils Åman, and Räty.

Räty was the surprise of training camp. The 21-year-old centre didn’t appear in a single NHL game last season, though he did produce 52 points (18-34-52) in 72 AHL games with Abbotsford.

Räty said that he worked on his skating this summer and seems to have picked up a step. The 6-foot-2 centre has also impressed with his work on faceoffs.

Bains was cut despite scoring a goal and an assist in Friday’s preseason finale. The 23-year-old Surrey native appeared in eight NHL games last season and produced 55 points (16-39-55) in 59 AHL games. Head coach Rick Tocchet noted “game management” as an area where he can improve when asked about Bains on Friday.

Bains doesn’t need waivers to head to Abbotsford and seems poised to be the first forward call-up.

All NHL teams had to set their opening-day roster by 2 pm PT today. The Canucks begin the regular season Wednesday at home to the Calgary Flames.

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