Hoglander had three goals, six assists, 29 SOG and a -4 plus/minus in 25 games with the Canucks but will head to Abbotsford (AHL) in hopes of being called up again later in the season. The demotion is a bit of a surprise after Hoglander played 116 NHL games across the last two seasons.
Hoglander has just one assist in four games this season. He'll be a healthy scratch in Minnesota with Conor Garland expected to draw back into the lineup.
Hoglander was not on the ice for the morning skate and is questionable to play Saturday vs. the Red Wings. If Hogander can't play, expect Nic Petan to suit up on the Canucks' third line.
Garland missed five games while in COVID-19 protocol but is expected to play Thursday in Winnipeg. Garland, who has 10 goals and 14 assists (24 points) in 37 games this season, is expected to skate on the second line with Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander.
The Canucks drafted Hoglander with the No.40 overall pick in the 2019 draft. The highly-skilled winger had a strong year in the Swedish Elite League, scoring nine goals with seven assists (16 points) in 41 games as a 19-year-old. Hoglander also represented Sweden at the World Juniors, where helped them to a bronze medal and finished third on the team with 11 points (5G / 6A) in seven games.
