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Excitement is building among Vancouver Canucks fans as the team announces its opening-night roster ahead of the highly anticipated home opener against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
GM Patrik Alvin revealed the roster on Monday, but the announcement comes with notable absences, as goaltender Thatcher Demnko and forward Dakota Joshua have been placed on the season-opening injured non-roster list.
The Canucks' roster consists of 23 players, including 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies. Mark Friedman, Noah Juulsen and Raty are still vying for the spots.
Fans are eager to see how this roster will perform as the season begins. Here's how Vancouver Canucks fans on X/Twitter reacted to the Canucks' 23-man opening-night roster, with one commenting:
"This team can do some damage"
Another chimed in:
"Happy to see Raty in the lineup!! Well, at least until Joshua is back. He’ll probably get sent down after that instead of Aman cause of the waivers issue."
Here are some of the other top reactions on X:
"Strong forwards, elite goaltending tandem (when healthy) the defence needs another piece or 2," one opined.
"Seems like the number sequence listing is a rocket science for some," another chimed in.
"No idea how Arshdeep Bains isn't on here. Absolutely terrible call imo. Looking forward to the season though! Great squad! Need to call Bains up during the season 100%," another tweeted.
"I swear.... Some people's comments on here..LETS GO CANUCKS!! Should be some good lines going once they tell us what they will be. Lol," tweeted another.
Arshdeep Bains cut from Vancouver Canucks' roster
It was surprising for many to see Arshdeep Bains not included in the Vancouver Canucks' 23-man opening-night roster.
Despite a strong performance in Friday's preseason finale, where he accumulated a goal and provided an assist, Bains has been cut from the team's roster. When asked about Bains on Friday, HC Rick Tocchet pointed out that "game management" is an area where the player can enhance his skills.
Bains will now head to Abbotsford in the AHL. He played eight NHL games last term and had an impressive outing in the AHL, accumulating 55 points through 16 goals and 39 assists in 59 games.
The Vancouver Canucks host the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena on Wednesday in the season opener. The puck drops at 10 p.m. ET.
