Canucks Carousel: Friedman and Karlsson’s Game of Musical Chairs

Alright, school’s in session so listen up, Canucks fans! Here’s the latest hockey hodgepodge straight from the ice rink grapevine—and don’t you dare doze off, or you’ll miss the snark.

On January twenty-second, in a stunning display of indecisiveness, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin did an about-face with two players. Defenceman Mark “Captain Hook” Friedman—the guy they scooped up from the Penguins back in October—got a recall from his little conditioning stint in the minors. And Linus “Who?” Karlsson, well, he got yanked back up faster than a yo-yo on a sugar rush, all after being a glorified bench warmer for Vancouver’s dazzling win over the Maple Leafs the other day. Want to hear something hilarious? Karlsson’s been playing more musical chairs than hockey this month, with Abbotsford seeing more of him than a clingy ex. Friedman, though? Guy straight-up crushed it with the Baby Canucks—four big ones and looking fine with a plus-five in just four games. Star of the week? Definitely.

Rewind to January sixteenth—the Canucks brass pushed Friedman and Karlsson down to the Abbotsford playground without even a “see ya later!” With Friedman’s boot to the AHL dressed up as a “conditioning loan,” the Canucks officially had a barebones forwards group and a lonely seven on D.

Friedman’s previous gig with the Canucks was the definition of “meh,” collecting one lonely assist and coasting out there for a measly just-under twelve and a half minutes a game. And let’s not even start on his stats since late November; the dude’s been collecting more healthy scratches than a lottery ticket winner.

Now, let’s not forget his AHL backstory—it’s not his first rodeo there. The guy has been around the block with a solid 214 games, 11 goals, and 67 points since he started playing with the big boys in the 2016-17 season. Respectable? Sure. Will they write hockey ballads about him? Eh.

Now for Karlsson… Where to start? This will be his third minor-league shuffle this season, having rocked the Canucks jersey earlier in January and December, right after popping his NHL cherry on November sixteenth. Four NHL games later—still waiting on those points, bud.

But hey, let’s give credit where it’s due: Karlsson’s been making it rain goals with Abbotsford, netting seven times with a sweet total of 23 points in 25 games. I mean, third in team scoring? Give the man a cookie!

So, with both Friedman and Karlsson joining the farm team, the Abbotsford Canucks are probably throwing a party, dreaming of that playoff spot with their almost-cool 19-11-2-1 record.

And that’s the buzz on ice, folks! Keep your sticks on the ice or your books on the desk—whichever battle you’re facing today.