Canucks assign Max Sasson to Abbotsford

The centre position has a glut of players fighting for the three spots behind Elias Pettersson, and so far rookie Braeden Cootes has been the most surprising outside option. Filip Chytil has impressed well enough to fill the second line job (at least for the time being), while the fourth spot is a battle between Teddy Blueger (a bonafide lock) and Aatu Räty, who’s also waivers exempt.

Sasson is returning to an Abbotsford squad where he was a crucial part of the team’s Calder Cup championship, finishing third on the team and ninth in AHL postseason scoring with 14 points. As far as his NHL future is concerned, it’s clear that Sasson will be one of the first call ups should an injury fell a forward.

Sasson’s 29 games with the Canucks yielded only seven points, but his standing as one of Abbotsford’s top forwards and waiver-exempt status make him an easy player for Patrik Allvin to promote early.

Sasson’s league minimum cap hit of $775,000 on his one-year deal also makes him a very team-friendly depth option.

He’s appeared in 104 AHL games over the last two years with the Canucks, scoring 32 goals and 76 points. He had a strong run for the team enroute to their Calder Cup win last year, scoring five goals and 14 points in 24 games.

Sasson joined the organization in 2023 as free agent after finishing two years of collegiate hockey at Western Michigan University.