Vancouver Canucks F Anton Rodin Ready for Game Action

Vancouver Canucks winger Anton Rodin will continue the recovery of his knee injury with the AHL Utica Comets.

Prior to Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals, the Vancouver Canucks made three roster moves, sending defenceman Andrey Pedan and forwards Joseph LaBate and Anton Rodin to the AHL Utica Comets. The most interesting name among the three is certainly Rodin, who has yet to play in a regular-season game this year.

Hearing the plan for Anton Rodin is to play 2 games in Utica and then see how the knee holds up. #Canucks

— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) December 11, 2016

Rodin was outstanding for the Canucks in preseason, but game action appeared to be too much too early. Instead of providing scoring depth for a team in desperate need, Rodin spent days in the gym, with the occasional on-ice session.

Now 29 games into the 2016-17 campaign, it seems like Rodin is ready to give it another try.

Being assigned to the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint, Rodin is allowed to stay with the Comets for two weeks. During that time, Utica will play four games:

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Further Timetable

If NEWS 1130 Sports is right, Rodin will play in two of those games and be returned to Vancouver. That does not necessarily mean he will play in the first two, though. The Canucks saw it’s a slow recovery and too many games in a short time can result in a giant setback.

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So, expect Rodin to play Wednesday against Albany and either in Binghamton or against Providence.

If his knee holds up, Rodin could well join Vancouver’s lineup soon after his return. Assuming Rodin plays his second game against Binghamton, he could be ready to join the Canucks on Dec 20 against the Winnipeg Jets. If he stays down in Utica until after the Bruins game, he could join Vancouver on Dec 23 in Calgary or Dec 28 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Back in September, I wrote about the Canucks being dependant on Rodin in their playoff pursuit. That still holds true today, as Vancouver is struggling to score goals and Rodin was one of the team’s top scorers in preseason.

So, let’s hope he returns soon, and let’s hope he has a positive impact.