Canucks sign Alex Chiasson to professional tryout

The Vancouver Canucks continue to add new faces to their training camp roster.

According to several reports, the team has signed forward Alex Chiasson to a professional tryout (PTO). The report was first announced by Satiar Shah of Sportsnet 650, who shared rumblings of the contract through his Twitter account. The news was confirmed shortly after by insider Rick Dhaliwal, who confirmed that the team had officially invited Chiasson to participate in training camp.

The PTO was officially announced through the team’s Twitter account just after 4:00pm.

Drafted 38th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Chiasson didn’t end up making his NHL debut until 2012-13. In his first seven games with the Stars, Chiasson registered six goals and one assist. The following year, Chiasson suited up for 79 games, notching 13 goals, 22 assists and 38 PIM, but that would end up being his final season in Texas.

Chiasson went on to play two seasons with the Ottawa Senators, where he registered 19 goals and 21 assists in 153 games. The right winger stayed in Canada following his stint in the nation’s capital, inking a one-year, $800,000 deal with the Calgary Flames. Chiasson was able to play in 81 games that season, notching 12 goals and 12 assists in the process, before signing yet another one-year deal, this time with the Washington Capitals.

Once again, Chiasson didn’t make a huge impact on the scoresheet in Washington, only registering nine goals and nine assists in 61 games, but he was able to suit up for 16 playoff games en route to the Capitals’ first ever Stanley Cup victory.

Following his postseason success in Washington, Chiasson found himself back in Canada, signing a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Edmonton Oilers for the 2018-19 season. During that year, Chiasson achieved career-bests in goals (22) and points (38), which ultimately earned him a two-year extension to stay with McDavid and Draisaitl in Edmonton.

The offensive output declined over the next two seasons, with Chiasson only registering 20 points over 110 regular season games. He also added three points in seven playoff games during those last two years.

Granted the reports are true, it’s expected that the 30-year-old winger will arrive at the Canucks training camp, looking to land a roster spot for the upcoming 2021-22 season. It’s unlikely that Chiasson would crack the top-nine, given Vancouver’s current forward group, as well as the early, but impressive play from rookie Vasily Podkolzin, but he does provide some intrigue for head coach Travis Green and his coaching staff if he ends up earning a new contract.

With Tyler Motte sidelined for the first few weeks of the season, Chiasson could slot into that fourth-line winger role next to Brandon Sutter. Chiasson plays a very similar style to Motte with his effect back-checking and strong defensive positioning, and also has special teams experience, both on the powerplay and penalty kill.

Chiasson could also be a solid addition to Abbotsford if he doesn’t make the Vancouver roster on opening night. The new AHL team already has strong depth pieces in their system, and Chiasson would be another valued player in that group.

The first day of on-ice training camp sessions are set to take place on Thursday, September 23rd at the Abbotsford Centre.

What are your thoughts on a possible Chiasson PTO? Let us know in the comments!