Canucks News & Rumours: Räty, Mancini, Schenn, DeBrusk & Waiver Question

But then comes the other side of the argument. Räty has just 12 goals and 27 points in 104 NHL games. That’s not a death sentence for a young fourth-line centre, but at some point a player needs to show he can contribute offensively as well. The new Canucks coaching staff also wants speed through the middle, and that’s not the part of Räty’s game that stands out.

The awkward part is that Vancouver can’t send him to the American Hockey League without placing him on waivers. Another club would likely take a look. Moving him to the wing is another possibility, but Räty hasn’t really played that position. So the Canucks have a player they may not want to lose, but they also haven’t quite found a regular role for him yet.

And now Jake DeBrusk is ready to return after missing two games with illness. If DeBrusk comes back as expected, Räty will likely be the player who comes out. It’s a numbers game, and it makes his situation worth watching.

Victor Mancini Could Finally Get His Opportunity

While Räty might be heading toward the press box, Mancini appears to be heading in the other direction. Mancini skated alongside Elias Pettersson on the Canucks’ third defensive pairing at practice, as he did Tuesday. He has been a healthy scratch through the team’s first four games after an uneven training camp and some spotty exhibition performances. Now he could finally get his chance.

Luke Schenn has been one of Vancouver’s more physical players early in the season, with nine hits and a fight, but he appears likely to sit for the first time on Thursday. The Carolina Hurricanes aren’t an especially physical team outside of Nic Deslauriers. But they’re faster and more skilled, which could make Mancini’s mobility a useful addition to the Canucks’ back end.

That’s the interesting part of lineup decisions. It isn’t always about deciding that one player is better than another. Sometimes it’s about what the opponent will throw at you. Mancini now gets a chance to show that whatever went wrong in training camp is behind him. He needs to play a solid game tonight, move the puck, use his feet and give head coach Manny Malhotra a reason to think he’s useful.

What’s Next for the Canucks?

The Räty situation is the one I’ll keep an eye on. We’ve seen this with him before. He gets into the lineup, gets limited minutes, comes out for a game and then gets another opportunity. At some point, though, the Canucks will have to decide what they believe he can become.

Mancini is in a much simpler position. He has been waiting for his chance, and now it seems to be coming. That’s what young players need. Early in this season, Malhotra is still figuring out his group. And honestly, that’s part of what makes these early games interesting.