Bains was averaging 12:38 time-on-ice, failing to record a point, through three games with the Canucks this season. He will return to the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL), where he was a stalwart last season, producing 55 points (16G / 39A) in 59 games.
Bains will re-enter Vancouver's lineup after sitting out Saturday's game in Philadelphia.
With Linus Ullmark (strain) sidelined for at least one more game Merilainen has been recalled to serve as Anton Forsberg's backup on Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 22-year-old Merilainen has a 3.47 GAA and .852 SV% in three games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season (2-1-0).
Lankinen has been tremendous to start the season and, at least while Thatcher Demko (lower body) continues to be sidelined, seems to have taken over the reins of the crease for the Canucks. The 29-year-old Lankinen has allowed two or fewer goalies in each of his three outings (2-0-1), boasting a sensational 1.28 GAA and .953 SV%. The Canucks enter action on Tuesday as -178 road favorites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has scored two or fewer goals in two of their last three outings (1-2-0).
The Canucks are winless in three games this season and will turn to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Despite losing 3-2 in a shootout, Lankinen was stellar, the best goaltending performance this season for the Canucks, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%). The Canucks enter the action on Thursday as slight -106 road favorites against a Panthers club without their two biggest offensive threats, Matthew Tkachuk (illness) and Aleksander Barkov (lower body).
Stienburg was the 63rd overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Halifax native has amassed 16 points (6G / 10A) in 60 games over the last three seasons with the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
Daniel Sprong will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Bains to make his season debut. The 23-year-old Bains spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL), tallying an impressive 55 points (16G / 39A) in 59 games and could be in line for a more prominent role in the NHL this season.
With Joel Eriksson Ek (broken nose) not travelling on Sunday, Liam Ohgren will make his season debut vs. Winnipeg. The 20-year-old left-winger made his NHL debut last season but only appeared in four games, picking up a goal and an assist while averaging 14:31 TOI/GP.
Thompson will take Macklin Celebrini's spot on the Sharks roster after he was moved to IR. The 22-year-old defenseman appeared in two NHL games with the Sharks last year, but spent most of the season in the AHL, where he had nine points (1G / 8A) in 16 games.
With Thatcher Demko likely sidelined for the next several weeks, the Canucks will rotate between Lankinen and Artus Silovs in the crease. Silovs started the season opener for the Canucks, a 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames, and will serve as the backup to Lankinen for their second game on Friday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 29-year-old Lankinen was serviceable as the Nashville Predators' backup goalie last season, posting a 2.82 GAA and .908 SV% in 24 outings (11-6-0). The Canucks enter action on Friday as -167 home favorites over the Flyers.
Bains made his NHL debut last season, being held without a point in eight games for the Canucks. The 23-year-old Bains spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL), tallying an impressive 55 points (16G / 39A) in 59 games and could be in line for a more prominent role in the NHL this season.
Demko is still several weeks away from ramping things up, but with tenuous uncertainty surrounding his injury, this is positive news for Demko and the Canucks. The 28-year-old Demko was tremendous for the Canucks last season, posting a career-best 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% in 51 games (35-14-2). In the interim, the Canucks are rolling with Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen between the pipes.
Alriksson was Vancouver's 2023 4th-round pick (107th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks on Sunday. The 19-year-old Swedish forward is entering his second season with Guelph (OHL) after a strong rookie campaign in 2023-24 which saw him put up 17 goals, 33 points and 35 PIMs in 67 games played. He will return to the Storm for his sophomore season in 2024-25.
The Canucks needed goaltending depth because Thatcher Demko is still not 100 percent recovered from the injury that he suffered in the playoffs. It's unclear whether or not Demko will be ready for the start of the season, so Arturs Silovs and Lankinen could start the year as their goaltending duo. Most recently, Lankinen was with the Predators, where he was 11-6-0 with a 2.82 GAA and .908 SV% in 24 games in 2024.
Canucks' fans received some excellent news on Tuesday as their star goaltender Thatcher Demko returned to the ice and is skating and working out with indications of being healthy for training camp. Demko was originally expected to miss the beginning of training camp as his offseason recovery was taking longer than expected but that news has been flipped with his return Tuesday. The 28-year-old was key in Vancouver's success last season, with his 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA, .918 SV% and 5 shutouts.
