TOUCH DOWN: Canucks Big AHL performances from Bains and Karlsson may carry into NHL…

The Vancouver Canucks’ future looks increasingly promising as two of their top American Hockey League (AHL) prospects — Arshdeep Bains and Linus Karlsson — are making strong cases for NHL roster spots after standout performances with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Bains Blossoms into Playmaking Force

Arshdeep Bains, the Surrey native who made history as the first South Asian player to win the WHL scoring title, continues to defy expectations. In his second full AHL season, Bains led Abbotsford in points, showcasing elite vision, patience, and hockey IQ that had scouts and fans buzzing.

With 18 goals and 53 assists in 72 games, Bains wasn’t just piling up numbers — he was driving play. Whether on the power play or five-on-five, he consistently created high-danger chances and proved himself a reliable two-way forward. His effort was rewarded with a late-season call-up to the Canucks, where he didn’t look out of place.

Head coach Rick Tocchet has praised Bains’ work ethic, noting: “He’s got a quiet confidence and a real engine. He does the little things right. That’s what we want in our bottom six — guys who can push play, not just keep up with it.”

Karlsson’s Scoring Punch Turns Heads

Swedish winger Linus Karlsson also delivered a breakthrough season. After a solid rookie campaign in 2022–23, he took a significant leap, finishing with 27 goals and 30 assists. His knack for getting open in dangerous areas and his quick release made him one of the most consistent threats in Abbotsford’s lineup.

Karlsson’s ability to play both wings, contribute on special teams, and finish scoring plays could give him an edge in cracking the Canucks’ opening night roster this fall.

“He’s got that shoot-first mentality,” said Abbotsford head coach Jeremy Colliton. “You need guys who can bury chances — and Linus has proven he can do that against pro defenders.”

NHL Opportunities Loom Large

With offseason changes likely and roles opening up in the Canucks’ bottom six — especially with uncertainty surrounding the futures of veterans like Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Lafferty — both Bains and Karlsson could find themselves in NHL sweaters full-time come October.

Beyond their on-ice contributions, the two represent an important shift for the Canucks: a move toward developing homegrown talent and creating internal competition, rather than relying solely on free agency to plug holes.

A Youth Movement in Motion

As Vancouver aims to build on its playoff success and continue trending upward in the Pacific Division, the integration of young, hungry players like Bains and Karlsson could be crucial. The Canucks’ front office has made clear it values the development pipeline — and the recent AHL performances suggest that patience may soon pay off.

Don’t be surprised if this fall, when the puck drops at Rogers Arena, the crowd sees two familiar names — Bains and Karlsson — not just suiting up, but contributing in meaningful ways.