Canucks assign Linus Karlsson and Mark Friedman to AHL Abbotsford

The Canucks acquired Friedman along with Ty Glover back on October 17th, sending Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek back the other way. Friedman was with the Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate in Wilkes Barre/Scranton prior to his trade to the Canucks.

Upon arriving in Vancouver, Friedman was a regular in the Canucks’ NHL lineup, but that all changed when the Canucks acquired Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames. As a result of the acquisition that bolstered the Canucks’ blue line, Friedman hasn’t gotten into a game since November 30th. Through 18 games with the Canucks this season, Friedman has one assist. That assist came in the Canucks’ 10-1 win over the San Jose Sharks back on November 2nd. Friedman, 28, has appeared in 83 NHL games over his career.

For Linus Karlsson, a hot start in Abbotsford led to a call-up to the Canucks back on January 3rd. His third call-up of the season, this one came as a result of Phil Di Giuseppe going on LTIR after sustaining an injury in the Canucks’ game against the Ottawa Senators on January 2nd.

With Abbotsford hosting four games this week, both Friedman and Karlsson will get a good chance to get into some game action. The LA Kings AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, visits Abbotsford Centre on both Tuesday and Wednesday night before San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks affiliate), flies into town for a matchup with Abbotsford on Saturday and Sunday.

With both Vancouver and Abbotsford staying close to home this week, the Canucks may choose not to call anyone up to fill the roster spots freed up by today’s moves. One thing to watch is whether or not Phil Di Giuseppe is ready to come off of LTIR at some point during this homestand. He’s missed seven games since being placed on LTIR, and needs to hit 10 to be eligible to come off of it. If he’s ready, that would leave the door open for PDG to return to the Canucks’ lineup next Wednesday when they host the St. Louis Blues.