Vancouver Canucks recall Zack MacEwen & Tyler Graovac while Goldobin continues to toil in AHL

The Big Fella is set to return to the Vancouver Canucks line-up.

Oh, and some guy named Tyler as well.

On Wednesday the Vancouver Canucks announced that both Zack MacEwen and Tyler Graovac have been recalled to the team, following an injury to Brandon Sutter and another mysterious ailment affecting Jay Beagle. Jalen Chatfield was also reassigned now that Chris Tanev is (knock on wood) back to full health.

MacEwen has done his best to prove that last season was no fluke in the AHL. He’s posted three goals and eight points in 13 games this season, and one of those goals was an overtime winner against the Binghamton Devils over the weekend.

The Prince Edward Island native’s journey to the NHL has been well-documented, and it’s nice to see him earn a call-up in two straight seasons. His chance to make the most of his opportunity might be limited however, with other bottom-six guys such as Tyler Motte and Antoine Roussel scheduled return from injury in the coming weeks.

With both Sutter and Beagle injured, clearly this team was looking for a centre as well. That’s probably why they recalled Graovac, who has one goal in six AHL games thus far.

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Digging some Goldy or Goldy-who?

Some people might be ticked off that the Canucks recalled Graovac and not Nikolay Goldobin, who has 13 points in 13 AHL games...

I have some time for that argument. However, if you’ve watched the Canucks at all this year, you can see that they’re doing a throwback to the old Grind Line in the bottom six. Their third line has also had a rotating door of bigger wingers with Tanner Pearson, Josh Leivo, Jake Virtanen and Micheal Ferland.

As much as people want to see Goldobin, Travis Green gave him a long leash during his first two years behind the bench. Maybe part of Goldy’s current predicament is on the coach, but part of it is on Goldobin for failing to adapt to the NHL game in 2+ seasons with the big club.

Still, perhaps there’s a chance her for Goldobin to earn one last shot, although I do think that ship has sailed. Perhaps if there’s more injuries or the Canucks hit a scoring snag, then Goldy would earn a spot alongside Horvat on the second line or Gaudette on the third line.

Just don’t bet on it. Remember, every team has a Nikolay Goldobin.