The Vancouver Canucks culled the herd today, reassigning Alexandre Grenier to the Utica Comets of the AHL. Grenier was serving his second tour of duty with the Canucks, having been recalled on March 14th for the second time this season.

Grenier, 24, was held pointless, managing just five shots in the five games he played following his recall from Utica. The Canucks lost all five games in that span and Grenier was a -4. Minus rating withstanding, Grenier wasn’t noticeably bad in his stretch. In fact, he wasn’t noticeable in any fashion.

The Canucks sheltered Grenier. They gave him an extended look alongside the twins. And most nights the only revealing mark of him playing was the time-on-ice tracked on each game sheet. It’s entirely possible that this is the last we’ll see of Grenier this season. If that’s the case, what a pity he couldn’t leave a more lasting impression.

As a 24-year-old forward, nearing waiver eligibility as soon as next season, Grenier is running out of chances to earn himself a full-time role at the NHL level. As the adage goes, bigger players take longer to develop. I’m not discounting this by any means, but how much upward mobility is left in Grenier’s game if he can’t even carve out a middle-six role at this stage in his career?

Time will tell, but imagine how much it will sting for everyone involved if this is the defining moment in Grenier’s NHL career…