After taking down the Oilers in the second game of the pre-season, the Canucks reduced their roster by three on Thursday. Forwards Michael Carcone and Alexis D’Aoust got the axe, as did goaltender Michael Garteig.
We’re still at the stage where the players cut didn’t really have a shot at making the team out of camp, so there are no real surprises yet.
Alexis D’Aoust was the last invitee standing at training camp. He still hasn’t signed with the Canucks and could return to Junior with the Shawinigan Cataractes to play his over-age season. The 20-year-old winger is coming off a superb 98-point season in the QMJHL season and will have the offensive support in Shawinigan to potentially lead the league in scoring. That would get him plenty of attention from other NHL teams, so if the Canucks want D’Aoust in the system, now might be the time to sign him.
D’Aoust could be worth the contract: he has a ton of skill and was an offensive catalyst during the Young Stars tournament, particularly in the second game. His biggest issue seems to be in the defensive zone, where he sometimes looked lost. He’s been invited to Utica’s training camp, but I would be surprised if he turned pro instead of returning to the QMJHL.
Michael Carcone caught everyone off guard with how good he looked at the Young Stars tournament and he made an impression in his one pre-season game despite playing fewer than 10 minutes. He had 8 hits and an assist in those few minutes and looked like he could play on an NHL third line in the not-too-distant future.
With his tenacity and style, Carcone could quickly become a fan favourite with the Comets and could even play a top-six role if he adapts quickly to the AHL game. He did have 47 goals in 66 games in the QMJHL last season.
Michael Garteig also got reassigned to the AHL, but he’s not likely to stay there. Thatcher Demko will vye with Richard Bachman for the starter’s role in Utica or Bachman will mentor Demko, depending on how you want to look at it. The best thing for Garteig’s development will be lots of starts and he won’t get those with Utica; look for him to get reassigned to the ECHL once Demko and Bachman get sent down.
That’s no slight to Garteig, who looks like a solid goaltending prospect. He performed well in the Young Stars tournament and is coming off an outstanding season for Quinnipiac, posting a .924 save percentage and 1.91 goals against average. Expect him to be in the AHL in a couple seasons, with the potential to reach the NHL as a backup soon after.
