Canucks adjust active roster with two demotions including Elias Pettersson
Photo credit: Vancouver Is Awesome
Vancouver made a pair of roster moves today, sending down goalie Nikita Tolopilo and defenseman Elias Pettersson to the AHL Abbotsford Canucks.
The Vancouver Canucks have reassigned goaltender Nikita Tolopilo and defenseman Elias Pettersson to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks, the team announced.
Tolopilo had been recalled nearly 10 days ago while the Canucks navigated injuries to Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen's brief absence.
What Nikita Tolopilo did to impress in his first NHL game this season
He impressed in his first NHL start of the 2025-26 season, stopping 41 shots in a 5-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks, but struggled in his next outing against the San Jose Sharks, posting a .875 save percentage on 24 shots.
Following that game, Tolopilo took a leave of absence for the birth of his child. In Abbotsford, he holds a 1-3-1 record with a .901 save percentage in five games. Vancouver will continue to rely on Lankinen and Jiri Patera in net.
Pettersson, meanwhile, will make his first AHL appearance of the season. The 21-year-old defenseman has recorded two assists in 24 NHL games this year, averaging 13:29 of ice time with a -6 rating.
That production mirrors his output from last season, when he managed three points in 28 games with a -4 rating.
What Elias Pettersson may be lacking in his game
Originally selected 80th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Pettersson has yet to secure a consistent spot on the Canucks' blue line, even with Vancouver struggling this season.
The AHL assignment will allow him to regain confidence and continue developing.
Unless Derek Forbort returns from the LTIR or the Canucks make another call-up, the team will proceed with six defensemen on the active NHL roster in the upcoming games.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 3 | 58 ANSWERS Canucks adjust active roster with two demotions including Elias Pettersson Should the Canucks have kept defenseman Elias Pettersson in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 67.2 % |
| No | 19 | 32.8 % |
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