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Upon returning home on Wednesday, the Vancouver Canucks have announced a pair of roster moves ahead of their upcoming four-game homestand which begins Friday.

Now that the Canucks have touched down in Vancouver with their sights set on a successful homestand starting Friday against the Utah Mammoth, General Manager Patrik Allvin has announced more roster moves.

Vancouver Canucks announce pair of roster moves ahead of four-game homestand

In a post on social media this morning, the Vancouver Canucks announced that goaltender Nikita Tolopilo and defenseman Elias Pettersson have been assigned to the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks.

“General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that G Nikita Tolopilo and D Elias Pettersson have been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL).” the Canucks said on X.

With Vancouver off until Friday, the move to assign Elias Pettersson to the American Hockey League could be simply to get him some ice time with the Abbotsford Canucks, who play tonight at home against the Calgary Wranglers, affiliate of the Calgary Flames.

In 24 games this season for the Canucks, the Vasteras, Sweden native has two assists, eight penalty minutes and is a minus-six while averaging 13:29 of ice time per night.

As for Nikita Tolopilo, he made two starts after being called up by the Vancouver Canucks in late November, he impressed during their first game of the road trip against the Anaheim Ducks, making 37 saves on 41 shots in a 5-4 win.

Due to an injury earlier this season, the Minsk, Belarus native has been limited to just five games in the American Hockey League with Abbotsford where he sports a 1-3-1 record along with a 3.35 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

As mentioned, the Vancouver Canucks will be back in action on Friday night as they host the Utah Mammoth at Rogers Arena, with puck drop set for 6 p.m. PT on Sportsnet Pacific.

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Transaction – Canucks announce two players have departed Vancouver, including Elias Pettersson (D)

Do you think that defenseman Elias Pettersson will be called back up before the end of December?