With Chris Tanev expected to play tonight, the Canucks needed to make a roster move to make room for him – so with that Troy Stecher, and Tom Nilsson, were assigned to the Utica Comets earlier today.

Starting with Stecher, unfortunately this move was inevitable when the Canucks got healthy on the backend. Although he has played better than the majority of the incumbent depth options, his ability to go to Utica without being exposed to waivers or in the case of Tryamkin, running back to the KHL, made this move the logical option.

It’s clear that Stecher is ready for a long look in the NHL, but given the Canucks reluctance to waive Alex Biega, this move was inevitable and likely the prudent thing to do. Stecher appeared in three contests where he was held pointless and was -3.

Without a doubt, another injury to a Canucks defenceman and Stecher will be on his way back up.

For Tom Nilsson, who was signed in May from the SHL, this is the first news about him that anyone has heard since training camp. He suffered an ankle injury before training camp even began and was placed on season opening IR. He will go down to Utica and provide a stable, hard nosed game for a Comets team that has been giving up goals and scoring chances.

Nilsson is a natural left sided defenceman, which after Andrey Pedan, is a big question mark for the Comets.