The Vancouver Canucks have activated forward Curtis Lazar off injured reserve, the club announced Friday evening.
In a corresponding move, the team assigned forward Will Lockwood to the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League.
It appears Lazar will return to the lineup as the Canucks host the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night. The veteran forward has been on the shelf since Oct. 24 after suffering an undisclosed injury.
Lazar, 27, has one goal in seven games with the Canucks to start the 2022–23 regular season. He joined the Canucks on a three-year, $1 million AAV contract this past summer.
The Ottawa Senators originally selected Lazar in the first round (No. 17 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut with Ottawa in 2014–15.
Lazar has 36 goals and 91 points in 411 career NHL games over parts of nine regular seasons with the Senators, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and Canucks. The 6′, 203-lb forward has added two points (one goal, one assist) in 24 playoff games with Ottawa, Calgary, and Boston.
Lockwood, 24, made his NHL season debut with Vancouver against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 15, picking up an assist in 10:18 of ice time.
The Canucks originally selected Lockwood in the third round (No. 64 overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. The 5’11”, 172-lb forward has just one point in his 16 career NHL games with Vancouver.
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