Canucks: Big AHL performances from Bains and Karlsson may carry into NHL success

National Post

5 hours ago

Article content
There is little doubt that this spring's epic run by the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup Final bodes well for the future of the entire Vancouver Canucks organization.
Article content
Winning, after all, brings good vibes, and good vibes bring you goodwill.
Article content
Article content
And winning at the AHL level usually means some good things for your NHL team a couple seasons down the line.
Article content
The Vancouver Canucks are hopeful that this spring's solid run will yield positive things for the NHL club as soon as next season.
Article content
Article content
Yes, we're talking about you, Arshdeep Bains and Linus Karlsson.
Article content
The two wingers were massive performers Tuesday, helping the Canucks take a 2-1 series lead over the Charlotte Checkers.
Article content
Bains' all-around good game sense has been on display ever since he made the jump to pro hockey in 2022.
Article content
But his emergence as a big-game player is notable. He was one of Abbotsford's best performers all season long. In the playoffs, it took him a while to score an actual goal — he only has five — but those five have all come in crunch time.
Article content
The first three were in the final two games of the Western Conference final against Texas, and the latest two came on Tuesday, along with two assists, leading the way in a 6-1 romp over Charlotte.
Article content
Karlsson, meanwhile, has 11 goals and 11 assists in this playoff run, including goals in both games two and three of this series against Charlotte.
Article content
He hs been a player on a mission all season. After a rather underwhelming NHL callup last fall, he clearly put the bit between his teeth, and doubled down on what he needs to be, because when he came back to the NHL later in the season, he was a solid, hard-working presence. He is not the fleetest of foot, but he's strong and has hockey smarts that have carried him this far.
Article content
Both players aren't going to be stars in the NHL, but they have guts and brains and dedication to the craft, exactly what you want in homegrown depth wingers. And both would help the NHL team if they can turn themselves into such players.
Article content