Canucks assign Alex Grenier to Utica Comets

To be honest, nobody was expecting much in terms of roster changes today. After all, the Canucks have a game against the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow, and the Utica Comets in France to play three exhibition games. Any moves to Utica would shrink the big club’s options and likely require a chasing flight.

So for that reason, it was a bit surprising to see Alex Grenier be assigned today, but here we are.

Grenier hasn’t been a huge standout for the Canucks over the course of the preseason. In five games, he’s earned himself zero points and has taken just eight shots, playing with a variety of different linemates. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the preseason was a disappointing one for him, but he certainly didn’t stand out enough to truly fight for a roster spot.

This year, Grenier is expected to be heavily relied upon by Utica. The 24-year-old finished third in team scoring last year, scoring 17 goals and adding 26 assists in 67 games. He further improved his production in the playoffs, tying Sven Baertschi for second on the team with 15 points in 23 games.

The Canucks made no other roster moves today; nobody else was sent down, nor was anybody placed on waivers for that eventual purpose.