Vancouver Canucks make emergency recall as one defenseman leaves for personal reasons

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Daniel Lucente
October 17, 2024 (10:19)

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The Vancouver Canucks were forced into action and recalled Erik Brannstrom as Derek Forbort has unexpectedly left the team to deal with personal issues.

The Vancouver Canucks made a roster move on Tuesday, recalling defenseman Erik Brannstrom from their AHL affiliate. That's in response to word that another Canucks defenseman, Derek Forbort, is stepping away from the team due to personal reasons. Forbort, who inked a deal with Vancouver as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season signing a one-year, $1.5-million contract, had already chipped in with an assist in three games and five blocked shots, averaging just shy of 17 minutes of ice time per game.

With Forbort out, the Canucks recalled Brannstrom, whom they acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in a recent trade. The 24-year-old defender went to Vancouver in an early October deal that sent the injured Tucker Poolman and a 2025 fourth-round pick to Colorado. Since joining the Canucks' AHL affiliate, Brannstrom has been very good, notching three assists and putting up seven shots on goal in two appearances.

Before landing in Vancouver, Brannstrom spent six seasons with the Ottawa Senators, where he established himself as a consistent blueliner. He had his best season last year, posting 20 points in a career-high 76 games. His consistent play helped him carve out a reputation as a versatile defender, though Ottawa chose not to tender him a qualifying offer this summer, making him a free agent.

Brannstrom, upon becoming a free agent, inked a deal with the Colorado Avalanche worth $900,000 for one year. Coming into this season, he looked to re-establish himself in the NHL once more. He is set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the year, which could very well set him up for an even larger deal should he continue performing at his current pace.

The Canucks, still looking for a kick-start to their season in the form of a first win, will be taking on the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. With Brannstrom now called up, perhaps to join the lineup, Vancouver will be looking to this change in scenario to spark momentum on the defensive end.