The Vancouver Canucks have recalled some familiar faces back to the big club.
The team announced today a series of transactions which included Phil Di Giuseppe and Linus Karlsson joining the team. Neither player has skated in an NHL game so far this year.
The Canucks also sent down Arturs Silovs, who was recalled on an emergency basis with Kevin Lankinen sick, and Mark Friedman.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that D Mark Friedman and G Artūrs Šilovs have been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL). F Linus Karlsson and F Di Giuseppe have been recalled from Abbotsford.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 17, 2024
Di Giuseppe spent the majority of last season in the NHL, playing 51 games for the Canucks. He was responsible for one of the most memorable moments of last year’s playoff run when he scored a crucial goal in Game 5 of the second round just shortly after becoming a father.
The 31-year-old was snuck through waivers just before this year started. He’s only played four AHL games so far this year and is still looking for his first point.
Head coach Rick Tocchet has shown an affinity for Di Giuseppe in the past as the winger plays hard and forechecks well, traits the bench boss appreciates.
The team also recalled Karlsson, who has been filling the net in Abbotsford so far this season. He has five goals and one assist in seven games, showing again his ability to put up points at that level.
The Swedish forward has just four regular-season NHL games under his belt but also got two playoff games last year. He even got the chance to play on a line with Elias Pettersson during the playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers.
With Silovs returning to Abbotsford, he’ll get the chance to start some games soon. This also means that Lankinen has recovered from his flu and he’ll likely get pressed into action as the team has a back-to-back coming up.
The team is flying to Salt Lake City today as they prepare for their first-ever game against the Utah Hockey Club tomorrow. They just wrapped up a six-game homestand which they finished with a 3-2-1 record.