Canucks: Impressive Aatu Raty, Arshdeep Bains remain on roster ...

16 days ago

The Province

The forwards have impressed through training camp and the NHL preseason and remain on the roster following a series of moves Tuesday

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Published Oct 01, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read

Abbotsford centre Aatu Raty battle for the puck against the Tuscon Roadrunners last February at the Abbotsford Centre. Photo by Darren Francis Photography /Abbotsford Canucks

Aatu Raty and Arshdeep Bains have been rewarded for making all the right moves on and off the ice.

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They have impressed through training camp and the NHL preseason and remain on the Vancouver Canucks’ roster following a series of moves Tuesday morning.

Forwards Phil Di Giuseppe and Nate Smith, along with defencemen Christian Wolanin and goalie Jiri Patera have been placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

Forwards Linus Karlsson, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Ty Mueller and Max Sasson along with defencemen Christian Felton, Cole McWard, Kirill Kudryavtsev and Elias Pettersson, plus goalie Nikita Tolopilo have been assigned to Abbotsford.

Raty, 21, has become a very intriguing story.

The Finnish centre won 14 of 18 face-offs against the Seattle Kraken on Sept. 24, and on Saturday in Calgary, he looked like a wily veteran by the manner in which the 6-foot-2, 190 pound pivot finished off a third-period scoring chance.

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He took a feed from Conor Garland, worked his way into the high slot, and calmly executed a deft toe drag to pick the high glove side corner.

Raty, who has be aligned with Nils Hoglander and Garland in camp and the preseason, benefitted from a full AHL season in 2023-24 with 52 points (18-34) in 72 games. He also played three games with the Canucks in 2022-23 and was part of the return in the Bo Horvat trade.

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“When we first got him, his skating was just OK,” said Tocchet. “The development guys and the Abbotsford guys did a helluva job with him, because to me he’s a different player than he was last year. He had a good year last year, but I see another level.

“He looks fast out there with his skating. And every drill he does he goes 100 per cent. Even in the morning skate I told him he had to slow down a bit because you want to save it for tonight. I like that attitude from a young kid.”

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With Pius Suter and Teddy Blueger expected to centre the bottom two lines, Raty at the very least is pushing the roster envelope. And rewarding his hard work, even as an extra forward, would send prospects the right message.

Arshdeep Bains celebrates his preseason goal with Kiefer Sherwood on Monday night in Edmonton. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

The undrafted Bains, 23, played eight NHL games last season because Tocchet saw something in the Surrey native, who kept working at his game in Abbotsford and finished with 55 points (16-39) in 59 games.

On Monday in Edmonton, the left winger looked like he belonged with strong play and a fine finish. And if Di Giuseppe is claimed, or clears waivers, he might earn a spot.

Bains parlayed his presence into a second-period goal on the Canucks’ first power play against the Oilers. Daniel Sprong found Kiefer Sherwood down low beside and net and he spotted an open Bains, who roofed a quick shot for his first goal of the pre-season.

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“It was a good power play and we talked about the backdoor being open and Woody (Sherwood) made a good play and I was ready for it,” said Bains. “We kind of drew that one up.”

Bains then showed his smarts by holding the puck at the offensive blue-line to buy time before setting up Suter for a Grade A chance from the slot.

OVERTIME — J.T. Miller practised Tuesday while Suter was absent for an evaluation after abounding a hit Monday. Akito Hirose is sideline with a concussion.

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