Canucks reduce preseason roster by four players

The Canucks have reduced their preseason roster by four players after Thursday night’s preseason loss to the Coyotes at Rogers Arena.

Zack MacEwen and Jalen Chatfield have been assigned to Utica, while Tyler Graovac and Richard Bachman have been placed on waivers for the purpose of AHL designation.

Both MacEwen and Graovac had strong preseasons, but they were going to be in tough to make the team with a large group of experienced forwards also competing for a bottom-six role.

MacEwen provided a physical presence throughout the preseason and netted his first goal off a great Adam Gaudette pass Thursday evening against Arizona.

MacEwen was a major impact player for the Comets last season, notching 22 goals and 52 points in 69 games. He doesn’t shy away from dropping the gloves and racked up 75 PIM in Utica last year. He gives it all every shift, and with injuries always a factor, MacEwen will almost certainly be back up with the big club at some point this year.

Graovac also found the back of the net this preseason and played well in a bottom-six role. At 6’5″ and 207 lbs, Graovac is a big forward who skates well and has decent offensive ability. He’ll also be a big impact player for the Comets this season and a solid call-up candidate after recording 24 goals and 50 points in 65 games for AHL Stockton last year.

With the latest cuts, that means Nikolay Goldobin, Adam Gaudette and Guillaume Brisebois are still on the roster heading into the final weekend.