Canucks make roster moves to compensate for COVID-related absences

With their first game about to get underway later Sunday night after a COVID-19 outbreak shut down the Vancouver Canucks for three-and-a half weeks, the team had to make several roster moves to fill up its roster. With a number of players still not ready, the team announced they have recalled a number of players, including forwards Tyler Graovac and Kole Lind, defenseman Guillaume Brisebois, and goaltender Michael Dipietro, all on emergency conditions. The team has also activated Tanner Pearson off injured reserve, while loaning Brogan Rafferty to the taxi squad.

The Canucks, who had more than 20 positive tests within the organization during the epidemic, still have a number of players out, forcing the team to bring up numerous taxi squad players to fill the void against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night until players are able to return.

The Athletic’s Rick Dhaliwal reports that Brisebois and Jalen Chatfield are expected to play Sunday, while Lind and Ashton Sautner will participate in pregame warmups, but neither is expected to play. Pearson is expected to return. He has been out since March 17 with a lower-body injury and should give the team a much-needed boost on offense.