With only two games remaining in the Canucks pre-season and the veteran roster returning from China, roster cuts were expected and it appears the first shoe has dropped as forward Reid Boucher has been placed on waivers.

Boucher played 27 games for the Canucks last season, posting five goals and two assists. Earlier in the year, the winger had been with the New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, and then again the New Jersey Devils after being claimed on waivers multiple times. He was placed on waivers by the Devils again, and that’s how the Canucks acquired him last year.

The Canucks had signed Boucher to a one-year, one deal worth $687,500 contract this summer.

The 24-year-old being placed on waivers today isn’t surprising as he hasn’t been noticeable in his pre-season action and was a healthy scratch for the second game in China. He has been outplayed by players like Brock Boeser and Jake Virtanen.

Boucher’s shot is what sets him apart, but he always struggled to keep up with the pace of the game and it appears that he will start the year in the AHL with hopes of earning a call-up later in the year. Given the influx of talent going to Utica this year, it’s fair to believe that Boucher will produce at that level.

When the Canucks claimed Boucher this past January, they were in dire need of a shooting winger to score goals, but with Boeser looking ready to seize a full-time spot in the NHL and Thomas Vanek being added, Boucher was fighting an uphill battle to secure a roster spot. At the very least, Boucher provides some more organizational depth and will help some of the younger players at the AHL level.

Boucher will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.