WATCH: Vancouver Canucks’ prospect Nils Hoglander scores power play goal in return to play after SHL COVID-19 outbreak

One of the Vancouver Canucks’ top prospects was back in action on Tuesday and he didn’t waste any time getting on the scoresheet.

Over the past couple weeks, NIls Höglander’s SHL club, Rögle BK has been struggling with a COVID-19 outbreak making its way through their organization.

Although Höglander didn’t test positive for the virus, his team did have to cancel a handful of games.

Rögle was back in action against HV71 for a regular season SHL game. Rögle brought the offence as they went on to win the game 4-0.

Höglander scored the third goal of the game for Rögle. He went to work in front of the net on the power play and tipped the puck past the goaltender to make the score 3-0 at the halfway point of the second period.

Just minutes before he buries this power play goal, Höglander attempted his signature lacrosse goal.

He wasn’t quite able to finish this attempt but his hands were on display with the ease and speed he shows getting the puck onto his blade and towards the net.

We’ve seen this goal scored at many different levels of hockey in the past couple of years but nobody does it with as much grace as Höglander.

Höglander’s return also saw him skate with a new linemate. Former Vernon Viper Adam Tambellini was the left winger on his line as Höglander played right wing today. Their line was able to generate a ton of offence and looks dangerous on most shifts today. Tambellini is one of Rögle’s better offensive producers and it’s nice to see Höglander riding on the wing with him.

Höglander played 16:05 on Tuesday in Rögle’s return to action. He had three shots on net, had one goal, two hits and drew a penalty late in the third period.

Because of their postponed games, Rögle BK is going to be a very busy hockey team this week. They are scheduled to play four games in the next six days and that will give Höglander a ton of reps before he comes over to Vancouver after his loan expires on December 12th. The latest I’m hearing is that there are no plans yet for Höglander to leave early and that he and his agent are just focused on his SHL action right now. With the wonky schedule and pay cuts to players and staff, there seems to be an opening for Hoglander to potentially come to Vancouver early.

Though he is the top Canucks prospect on Rögle BK, Höglander is not alone as a top NHL prospect on the team. Moritz Seider is a Detroit Red Wings draft pick who shocked everyone at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft when the Red Wings selected him with the sixth overall pick. He will likely be in a similar situation as Höglander as Seider should have a strong case to make an NHL roster. The two young studs are both currently loaned to Rögle and should be making their way to North America soon.

We will continue to follow the progress of Höglander and keep our finger on the pulse of Höglander leaving for Vancouver.

It should be at some point in the next two weeks.