A sweat-soaked Linus Karlsson took a pause for his cause Tuesday at Rogers Arena.
Following a lengthy practice, and an additional 30 minutes to keep honing his game long after teammates had departed the building, the congenial Vancouver Canucks right winger welcomed this reporter into his world. It’s one full of anticipation and considerable angst as a spare lineup part.
Nobody likes being good enough to be in the NHL but not playing.
It’s still early, but sitting out the first three games is testing Karlsson’s mettle. Centre Max Sasson has been recalled with rookie centre Braeden Cootes returned to Seattle of the WHL, and unless Canucks head coach Adam Foote makes another adjustment with back-to-back games Thursday and Friday to open a five-game road trip, the wait for Karlsson could get longer.
“It sucks,” he simply stated with a forced chuckle. “It’s not fun. You have to try and keep a good attitude, work hard, and be ready when the chance comes. You want to help the team, and I think I can bring something to the lineup, so hopefully I get some games soon. I came into the season with good confidence.”
Karlsson, 25, played 23 NHL games last season as a depth winger and got top-six looks. He is no longer waiver-exempt and would probably be claimed if re-assigned to the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. He is also on an expiring contract at the NHL minimum of $775,000 US, so making the most of this season is vital before becoming a Group 6 unrestricted free agent.
Flames goalie Devin Cooley denies Canucks winger Linus Karlson in pre-season matchup Oct. 1 in Calgary.
With a crowded Canucks right side in Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, Jonathan Lekkerimaki and productive Kiefer Sherwood, who should be bumped up the lineup Thursday in Dallas, where does Karlsson fit? It could take an injury or indifferent play to finally have his day.
After leading the club’s AHL affiliate to its first Calder Cup championship in June with the series-clinching goal — one of his four game-winners in 14 playoff goals to set the scoring pace — sitting out without a pout requires resolve. And also catching Foote’s eye.
“You have to work even harder,” admitted Karlsson. “I’m not in the lineup because of a reason, so I have to find some sort of extra work to put in and stay out on the ice longer. I have to take it day by day and be ready when the chance comes. That’s the only thing I can focus on right now. You always want to be up here, but you want to play.
“I’m not happy to sit out. I’ll keep having a good attitude and push my teammates.”
Karlsson was challenged by Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra to become more of a leader last season. He embraced the challenge and responded with 23 goals in 32 regular-season games and led playoff scoring with 26 points (14-12) in 24 games. It was another step to becoming an NHL mainstay.
“Every game I’ve been up here is like a playoff game for me,” stressed Karlsson. “I have to bring something so they see what I could bring to this team. Make sure I’m on guys, set screens, be around the net and be good defensively.”
Five other members of the Calder Cup champions are with the Canucks. Winger Arshdeep Bains has been responsible, centre Aatu Raty gritty and good in the face-off circle, Sasson was driving the first line in Abbotsford and can play the middle or wing, winger Lekkerimaki has that shot, and defenceman Victor Mancini played Monday against St. Louis.
Bains, 24, and Sasson, 25, found another level of AHL productivity when it mattered most, which was not lost on the parent Canucks. Bains had 24 points (5-19) in 24 playoff games and Sasson 14 points (5-9) in the same amount of outings.
Raty, 22, put Karlsson’s plight in perspective because he’s been there. Raty’s skating was questioned and so was positioning and drive. He’s in the lineup this season on merit after logging 33 NHL games last season.
“You see how hard he works out there,” Raty said of Karlsson. “He stays out late. A lot of guys have been in his spot and he’s just got to stay positive and have that next-man-up mentality. Anything can happen on any given day. And I know he’s ready. He’s really dialled in to do the extra stuff in the gym. You can’t just be with the team and expect to be ready.
“He knows what to do. He’s a pro. When I came to Abby three years ago, he was leading in scoring and had a good overall game. Played in every situation and got lot of minutes. And it really showed last year.”
Raty leads the Canucks in face-off percentage (55.6) and is no longer waiver exempt, but that’s a moot point. He’s not going anywhere, even when centre Teddy Blueger returns from a knee injury. That would mean Sasson, who doesn’t require waivers, would like return to Abbotsford.
Maybe Karlsson put it best about the pressure to perform and impress when he does get that NHL chance.
“Every game I’ve been up here is like a playoff game for me,” he said.