The Canucks are set to welcome back one of their centers in advance of Friday night’s game against Los Angeles, as the team announced it has activated Curtis Lazar off injured reserve. To make room for him on the roster, Vancouver re-assigned winger Will Lockwood to AHL Abbotsford.
Lazar signed a three-year contract with the Canucks on the opening day of free agency back in July and was expected to anchor their fourth line, the role he held for a lot of his time with Boston previously. He got into seven games last month but was shut down late in October after it was revealed that he was playing through an undisclosed injury. Lazar had a goal and 17 hits in those contests while logging just shy of 12 minutes per game.
As for Lockwood, his second NHL stint of the season lasted longer than the first, but that’s not saying much. He was only brought up on Tuesday and lasted just one extra day this time. However, he did make his first NHL appearance of the season on this recall, picking up an assist against Buffalo on Tuesday. Lockwood has been productive in the minors this season with five goals and two assists in 10 appearances, which will keep him at or near the top of the recall list whenever another such move is needed.
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