Canucks place Arshdeep Bains on waivers

Bains, 24, made the team out of training camp and started in the top six, skating on the left wing on a line with Filip Chytil and Conor Garland. He picked up a pair of assists through the first three games of the season, but was then demoted to fourth-line duties and lost his penalty killing spot.

Over Bains’ following 23 games, Bains failed to log more than 10 minutes of ice time in 17 of those contests – 10 of which he played less than eight minutes. He has one goal and four assists for five points with an even rating, 12 penalty minutes, and one power play point, while averaging 9:09 minutes of ice time.

He served as a healthy scratch over a two-week span (five games) in mid-November and watched Sunday morning’s game against the New Jersey Devils from the press box. Bains took part in line rushes for today’s morning skate in Brock Boeser’s place, but Boeser is expected to play.

The Surrey, BC native signed a three-year Entry-Level contract as an undrafted free agent with the Canucks in March of 2022. Bains spent his first full season with the Canucks organization in Abbotsford, where he scored 13 goals and 28 points in 66 regular season games.

His role grew year over year in Abbotsford, where he scored 16 goals and 55 points in 59 AHL games. Bains was then rewarded with a taste of NHL action in 2023-24, playing eight games in Vancouver.

Bains was one of the main offensive weapons in Abbotsford last season, collecting 11 goals and 43 points in 50 games. He saw more NHL action, appearing in 13 games for Vancouver and picking up his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins. His seven goals and 24 points in 24 postseason games helped the Abbotsford Canucks win the Calder Cup last season.

The left-winger signed a two-year contract to stay in Vancouver this past summer, carrying an average annual value of $775,000. This year is a two-year deal, with next year a one-year contract, so he will earn the full $775,000, whether he’s playing in the NHL or the AHL.