Ahead of his return to the Canucks roster, and perhaps the lineup, Brendan Gaunce has joined the Utica Comets on a conditioning stint.

Gaunce, who’s recovering from a shoulder injury, and subsequent surgery, suffered at the end of last season will look to get back into game shape with the Comets before returning to the big club.

In 57 games with the Canucks last season, Gaunce was goalless with five assists. To Gaunce’s credit, he was arguably one of the Canucks best defensive forwards last season, and he was on the verge of scoring goal on the same play where he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

The next question is where exactly the Canucks will fit Gaunce when he returns. Even with Loui Eriksson’s absence, this Canucks lineup is loaded with depth forwards, and on some nights, more of them then they have spots to accommodate them. The obvious fit would be alongside Brandon Sutter and Derek Dorsett on the Canucks fourth (first?) line.