Canucks Army (Preseason) GDT #2: Canucks @ Flames

The Canucks are set to play the Flames tonight in the second game on their preseason slate, less than two weeks before they come back to Calgary open the regular season. With meaningful games fast approaching the training camp roster is being progressively trimmed down, as 12 names have been dropped since their last game.

After the trio of Subban, Cassels and Cederholm were sent back to their respective CHL teams, news broke today that Dane Fox, Alex Grenier, Mike Zalewski, Alex Mallet, Kellan Lain and Jeremie Blain were sent down to Utica. Curtis Valk has also been sent to the Utica Comets camp, where he’ll try to earn himself a contract.

That leaves the coaching staff with 46 names left, meaning that there’s still some work to be done before the opening day roster has been reached.

Puck Drop: 6 PM PT

TV: Sportsnet 360

According to Jason Botchford, here are the 12 forwards expected to play in this one:

What sticks out immediately – aside from the fact that a handful of notable names aren’t making the trip – is that Bo Horvat is getting a legitimate audition in a spot that could potentially be his, provided he plays well. At the very least he’s being positioned to succeed having been put between the likes of Higgins and Hansen, as a realistic 3rd line.

The same can’t really be said for Nicklas Jensen, who will surely have a difficult time looking good given his linemates. 

The blueline is expected to feature Ryan Stanton, Frank Corrado, Luca Sbisa, and a couple of inevitably AHL-bound defensemen in Negrin, Huskins, and Tommernes. The others are staying in Vancouver, and will presumably be in the lineup when these two teams play again on Friday night. That group will be playing in front of Eddie Lack and Joacim Eriksson, who figure to split the work between the pipes tonight.