Canucks recall red-hot Boucher
With playing time waning, Gaunce reassigned to AHL’s Utica Comets
The Canucks have made a switch on their depth chart.
Returning to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League is Brendan Gaunce. Coming up from Utica is Reid Boucher.
Best known for his sound defensive game, Gaunce suited up for three games for the Canucks since being recalled Oct. 30 and recorded three points.
He scored a goal and added an assist in his first game back in the NHL, against the Chicago Blackhawks on Halloween, then recorded another assist in the next game, the wild 7-6 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 2.
Despite his offensive outburst while skating on the fourth line, he only played one more game over the succeeding three weeks, Nov. 17 against the Montreal Canadiens. He only played 4:58 in that game.
Darren Archibald has been preferred on the fourth line to Gaunce, and with Gaunce’s waivers clock ticking down — he cleared waivers before the season started and is allowed 30 days in the NHL before he has to be placed on waivers again before being re-assigned to Utica — it makes sense to swap him out for Boucher.
(If you’re counting at home, Gaunce spent 22 days in the NHL, meaning he can still be recalled but would need waivers after another eight days with the Canucks.)
Boucher has been on a tear with the Comets, scoring 10 goals in 12 games. He also missed seven games due to an injury suffered Oct. 20.
He’s played 47 NHL games for the Canucks over the last two seasons, scoring eight goals.
His scoring talents have always been evident, but his biggest knock has been his foot speed.
It’s possible the Canucks will look to put him in the lineup in one of the two games remaining on their road trip — Friday against the San Jose Sharks, Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings — but goal scoring hasn’t really been a problem for the Canucks, and that’s his strength.
What the Canucks need is smarter play in their own end.
While not noted as a defensive player, Boucher is a new option on the wing and a little offensive flair is never a bad thing.
BAERTSCHI STRUGGLING
Winger Sven Baertschi, out with a concussion since Oct. 24, told Swiss media that his first time back on ice last Saturday didn’t go well.
He told Swiss newspaper Blick that after skating for about 15 minutes, he felt dizzy and stopped. He’s also having blurry vision and a headache.
The team has been very cautious with head injuries this season, emphasizing the need to take them seriously. Baertschi echoed a similar sentiment. “I also want to be able to enjoy my life after my hockey career with my family,” he said.