Canucks’ concern about Horvat’s health prompts call-up of Kero from Utica
It appears Bo Horvat’s suspect health status is enough to prompt the Vancouver Canucks to call up another centre.
The NHL team on Thursday recalled centre Tanner Kero from their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
The recall was a precaution for Horvat’s charley horse issue, Canucks general manager Jim Benning said Thursday morning.
Horvat took a hit from the Edmonton Oilers’ Zack Kassian late in Wednesday’s 3-2 shootout loss at Rogers Arena and appeared to be in some discomfort after, albeit he didn’t miss a shift for the remainder of the game.
Canucks coach Travis Green said Thursday morning that Horvat suffered a charley horse in the hit but didn’t expect him to miss Friday’s game against the visiting Buffalo Sabres.
Green said there were a couple reasons for Kero’s call-up, even if he expected Horvat would be healthy and ready to play Friday.
“Kero’s had a good season, he’s playing well for (Utica),” Green said. “I’d like to get a look at him, even if he’s not going to play ... you want to bring guys up if they’re playing well down there.”
He acknowledged Adam Gaudette was another option, but indicated that with the likelihood that Kero wouldn’t play this decision was more about a chance to get a look at a player he’d not seen since training camp.
Kero was one of the first cuts in camp and didn’t appear in a pre-season game.
“He didn’t have a good camp,” Green said. “I’m happy that he’s back, I get to see him for a few days.”
Green also said Elias Pettersson is not expected to play against the Sabres, so it makes sense to have Kero on hand just in case neither centre is able to lace up.
Kero has 36 points in 43 games for the Comets this season. He played in 72 NHL contests over the previous three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was added in a trade last June, with the Canucks shipping Michael Chaput the other way.
Comets coach Trent Cull praised Kero’s work in conversation with the Utica Observer-Dispatch’s Ben Birnell.
“He has been our most consistent performer from start to finish,” Cull told Birnell this week. “He’s a durable guy. He’s playing in all situations ... He does a lot of good things. I really like his play.
There’s nothing he doesn’t do well.”
Kero cleared waivers in pre-season and is able to be sent back and forth between Vancouver and Utica for a total of 30 days of NHL service time.