Abbotsford Canucks talking with Jujhar Khaira about reunion: report

Abbotsford General Manager Ryan Johnson acquired Khaira from the Syracuse Crunch in exchange for future considerations in early March of last season. Khaira wasted no time getting into the Canucks lineup, playing just three days later. Through his first three games, Khaira picked up a point in each contest (one goal and two assists).

Right after Abbotsford acquired him, the Canucks went on their 13-game winning streak, with that momentum carrying into their Calder Cup playoff run. Khaira played in 17 regular season games for Abbotsford, scoring three goals and five assists for eight points with a plus-four rating and 16 penalty minutes.

The Cloverdale native appeared in all 24 games during Abbotsford’s run to their Calder Cup victory. Khaira picked up three goals and six assists for nine points with 31 penalty minutes and a plus-four rating. He spent most of the playoffs centring Abby’s third line with Sammy Blais and Nate Smith. Blais went on to sign a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, who was placed on waivers and later claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Smith remains unsigned.

News of Khaira and the Canucks talking about a possible reunion comes due to the injuries with the big club in Vancouver. Forwards Filip Chytil, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Nils Höglander and Teddy Blueger are out with injury, while Brock Boeser is out due to personal reasons.

This has resulted in Nils Aman, Joseph LaBate and Max Sasson – who were all announced on the Abbotsford Canucks’ opening night roster – earning the call to the NHL and are in Vancouver’s lineup. Earlier in the day, Abbotsford announced they signed Arnaud Durandeau to a professional tryout contract. Now, they may be bringing back one of their centremen who helped them lift the Calder Cup in June, Jujhar Khaira.