Canucks: Focht and Lockwood cut from preseason roster

The cuts continue to come for the Vancouver Canucks.
On Saturday morning, the team announced that two more players have been cut from the preseason roster. They were forwards Carson Focht and William Lockwood.

Both players were loaned to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL.

Focht was the Canucks fifth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2019-20 season, he scored 32 goals and got 24 assists for 56 points in 61 games with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. Focht wore the “A” on his jersey that season before it was suspended and later cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The following year, the centre played 28 games with the AHL’s Utica Comets and managed four goals and eight assists for 12 points.

It was unlikely that Focht was going to make the roster and it felt inevitable that he would be sent down to Abbotsford. There, he could potentially play top minutes and can work on his game.
Lockwood impressed at training camp and preseason but it seems head coach Travis Green thinks some seasoning in the AHL could benefit him.

The Canucks third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft showcased speed, tenacity and was strong on the forecheck.

After four years at the University of Michigan, Lockwood played 24 games with the Comets last season. There he scored four goals and tallied seven assists for 11 points. Lockwood also played his first two NHL games late last season.

It looked like he was going to be one of the players that would be on the fourth line at the start of the season but unfortunately, that wasn’t in the cards.

In Abbotsford, Lockwood could be playing top-six minutes, and expect him to put up some points there.

Lockwood will be back on the Vancouver roster at some point this season especially when the injuries hit.

In case you’re wondering, Lockwood is exempt from waivers.

The Canucks wrap up their preseason Saturday evening when they take on the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. Note the start time is at 6 PM.