Canucks Reassign Jacob Quillan; Recall Nikita Tolopilo

Yesterday evening, the Vancouver Canucks announced they’ve reassigned forward Jacob Quillan to the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL. In a corresponding roster move, radio host Brendan Batchelor reported that the Canucks have recalled netminder Nikita Tolopilo.

Quillan, 24, began the year with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, playing for the Toronto Marlies. After nearly averaging a point per game with the Marlies last season, Quillan failed to register any points in his first four games this year. On October 15th, the Maple Leafs traded Quillan to the Canucks in the Aatu Räty deal.

The former collegiate free agent got off to a great start with Abbotsford, scoring five goals and seven points in five games. That performance motivated Vancouver to recall Quillan when Filip Chytil landed on the injured reserve. In three games with the Canucks, Quillan registered an assist and 12 PIMs.

Meanwhile, the Canucks are looking for another option between the pipes. The Athletic’s Rick Dhaliwal reported that Vancouver isn’t dealing with any new injuries in net; they just want to give Tolopilo an opportunity.

Tolopilo has been reliable for Abbotsford this season, managing a 7-2-4 record in 11 games with an .897 SV% and 2.52 GAA. The Minsk, Belarus, native earned a lot of NHL reps last season with the Canucks, going 6-11-2 in 21 contests with an .881 SV% and 3.61 GAA.

Even though he’s far from dominant in the AHL, Vancouver needs another reliable option. Waiver pickup Leevi Merilainen has been fine, sporting an .885 SV% and 3.52 GAA in 13 starts. Unfortunately, Kevin Lankinen, who was supposed to be the team’s starter this year, has been a disaster. Essentially unplayable, Lankinen is 1-8-0 this year with an .808 SV%, 6.03 GAA, and -19.2 Goals Saved Above Average in nine games.