Bains to the NHL… this season?
It’s certainly a possibility; the Canucks’ management said so themselves. Arshdeep Bains is currently the AHL’s leading scorer, alongside *checks notes* teammate Christian Wolanin. His three goals and 10 assists in eight games currently put him on pace for 27 goals, 90 assists, and 117 points in 72 games.
OMG he did it again! Arshdeep Bains with TWO shorthanded goals on the same PK. Un-freaking-believable!
— Cody Severtson (@CodySevertson) April 29, 2023
The poke check from Matt Alfaro to give him the puck, and Bains' undressing the AHL's leading MVP... wowwwwwwwwwwwwww#Canucks pic.twitter.com/578gRLDUF1
In a recent interview on Donnie and Dhali, Abbotsford GM Ryan Johnson spoke to great length about Bains’ development, and specifically how he had adjusted his style of play from one that dominated the CHL to one that is now dominating professional hockey at the AHL level. The 22-year-old worked his game up to a level that saw him added to the team’s penalty kill before the power play; Jeremy Colliton and other Canucks coaches took notice of a well-rounded, detail-oriented game.
"“. . . He’s putting himself in a conversation to get an opportunity to play in the NHL” – Ryan Johnson"
Bains once said that his favorite Canucks player growing up (as a Canucks fan) was Ryan Kesler, and so far, the youngster’s developing two-way game definitely shows it. The opportunity to play in the NHL probably won’t come right away, but it’s fair to wonder if he’s on the list if the Canucks do need a forward at some point. Bains doesn’t have any NHL experience to date, but he might be the closest of his peers to making it.